“Changed the dynamic”: Peter Crouch picks red-hot United speedster as signing of the season

Bryan Mbeumo has proved to be worth his weight in gold since joining Manchester United from Brentford before the start of this season. The Red Devils spent £71 million to secure the Cameroonian’s signature and the club’s recruitment team will be patting themselves on the back following his stunning start to life at Old Trafford.

The Premier League giants were searching for fresh faces after making wholesale changes to their attack following a dismal 2024/25 campaign. Goalscoring was United’s biggest problem last season under former manager Erik ten Hag, and even the arrival of former head coach Ruben Amorim did little to improve the team’s output in the final third.

The Red Devils were not decisive enough in attack, which resulted in a return of just 44 goals in 38 league games last season. It is no wonder that they finished 15th in the Premier League and also lost the Europa League final 1-0 to Tottenham Hotspur.

INEOS moved efficiently over the summer to overhaul the attack, removing the likes of Marcus Rashford, Antony, Jadon Sancho, Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho. In came Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers and Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig, alongside Mbeumo and Senne Lammens, with the latter brought in to address the goalkeeping position.

United have subsequently improved their output in front of goal, scoring 48 times in 27 league games already. All four summer signings have played key roles so far, but it is fair to say the Cameroonian has been the standout.

Mbeumo’s season so far

Mbeumo made his debut for United in the first game of the season against Arsenal, with fellow summer signing Cunha also selected from the start. Banking on their new attacking arrivals, the Red Devils took Mikel Arteta’s well-drilled side, who narrowly missed out on the Premier League title last season, to task.

The Cameroonian was particularly a menace, regularly stretching the opposition backline, and the Gunners had to rely on their set-piece routine to come away with a narrow 1-0 win. Despite the defeat, Mbeumo’s start filled fans with optimism, and he has been a revelation so far.

The Cameroonian has registered 10 goals and three assists from 23 games in all competitions, all but one of which were starts. The 26 year old is also United’s top scorer this season, further underlining his importance to the team.

Bryan Mbeumo Stats: 2025/26 Season

Source: Transfermarkt.

Mbeumo was also decisive in the 1-0 win over Everton on Monday, 23 February, where he set up Sesko to score the winner. While the Cameroonian hobbled out of the game in the 77th minute, replaced by Noussair Mazraoui, fans were relieved to see him resume normal training this week. The player has now received a glowing review from former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch.

Crouch’s signing of the season

Crouch was recently asked to name his signing of the season on TNT Sports, and the former England international picked Mbeumo. He said: “I think Mbeumo for me (Premier League signing of the season). He’s changed the dynamic of Manchester United. A finisher, he’s quick. He’s definitely brought a hell of a lot to United this season.”

Fellow pundit and former Chelsea man Joe Cole opted for Manchester City’s Gianluigi Donnarumma as his choice. Fans will point out that Mbeumo scored in the 2-0 win over City at Old Trafford in caretaker manager Michael Carrick’s first game in charge.

Final Thoughts

Mbeumo will have the chance to add to his tally on Sunday, 1 March, when United take on Crystal Palace at Old Trafford. The Red Devils are fourth in the Premier League after 27 games but could climb to third if they manage to pick up all three points. Fans will hope that the Cameroonian, who has three goals and two assists in six games under Carrick, can be decisive once again this weekend.

Featured image Molly Darlington via Getty Images

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