Mbeumo set for Man United debut against Everton on US tour

Bryan Mbeumo is set to make his debut for Manchester United against Everton in Atlanta on Saturday.

Mbeumo joined United in July in a deal worth up to £71 million but the Cameroon international’s debut has been delayed while he worked on his fitness.

Brentford’s pre-season preparations began a week later United’s, leaving Mbeumo slightly behind in match readiness.

Amorim has now confirmed that the wait to see the new signing in action is over. “He is going to play,” the Portuguese said, looking ahead to the final match of the club’s three-game Premier League Summer Series in the US.

“I’m really excited to see him play and what he can give to our team.”

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Man United transfers 2025/26

Mbeumo’s introduction comes during a summer of spending that has surprised many observers, particularly after minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe warned in March that United could have “gone bust by Christmas” without major cost-cutting.

Despite that sobering statement, the club has managed to invest heavily, thanks in part to Barcelona reportedly covering Marcus Rashford’s £325,000-a-week wages during his season-long loan to the reigning LaLiga champions.

Additional funds have been raised through activated sell-on clauses and payment structures agreed with Brentford for Mbeumo and Wolves for the £62.5m signing of Matheus Cunha in June, spreading the cost of the deals.

Yet the big question around United’s transfer strategy remains at centre-forward, with attempts to bring in Benjamin Sesko from Leipzig.

Reports emerging from Sesko’s native Slovenia have now suggested that the 22-year-old has chosen Newcastle as his next destination.

Manchester United: Issues remain for Amorim

Should United manage to sign Sesko, the club’s overall summer expenditure could push towards £200m – but there would still be areas of concern for Amorim to address, most notably in goal.

Andre Onana is now expected to continue as United’s number one but the Cameroon international suffered a hamstring injury on the second day of pre-season training and has been gradually rebuilding his fitness in the US.

Onana is not expected to face Everton, but there is hope he could feature in the final friendly of the summer, against Fiorentina at Old Trafford on August 9 – a match that will also see the return of former United goalkeeper David de Gea for the Italian side.

“We are always looking to improve the team and we have some characteristics we would like to have,” said Amorim.

“But it depends on the market and depends on sales… you can see the goalkeepers. Tom [Heaton] is leaner, Altay [Bayindir] did really well and Onana is going to be better.”

Bryan Mbeumo stats

Mbeumo has been one of the most consistent attacking players in the Premier League since joining Brentford from Troyes for a then-club record £5.8m in 2019.

The former France youth international provided 15 goals and seven assists in 42 games in his first season in the Championship and 11 assists and eight goals in 44 matches as Brentford won promotion to the Premier League a season later.

Having been directly involved in 33 goals across the preceding two seasons, 2024/25 was the first campaign in which Mbeumo reached double figures in the division, achieving the feat in style with 20 goals and eight assists to help the club come 10th.

Injury ruled Mbeumo out of the Africa Cup of Nations in 2024 but he has six goals and two assists in 22 international appearances, including one of each against Libya in March and an assist in a 3-3 group stage draw with Serbia at the 2022 World Cup.

As well as Frank’s departure to Tottenham, Brentford have lost captain Christian Norgaard to Arsenal and goalkeeper Mark Flekken, who has moved to Bayer Leverkusen.

Why have Man United signed Bryan Mbeumo?

Of the teams outside of the relegation zone, only Everton finished with a lower tally than United’s 44 league goals in 2024/25.

United had failed to score in four of their nine league games by the time Erik ten Hag was sacked on October 28.

Successor Amorim was unable to significantly improve their fortunes, with their performance in their 1-0 Europa League final defeat to Spurs hampered by a distinct lack of cutting edge.

Amad Diallo and Bruno Fernandes finished as their joint top scorers in the league with eight goals each, while Amorim exiled former top scorer Rashford from the squad and questioned the England striker’s attitude before loaning him to Aston Villa.

Denmark forward Rasmus Hojlund faced ample criticism during a dire season, scoring four times in 32 league games including a run of 13 without a goal.

Amorim has since signed Cunha, who was responsible for 17 goals and six assists for Wolves last season.

When does Man United’s 2025/26 Premier League season start?

The first round of Premier League matches in 2025/26 will be on the weekend of August 16 2025, including United’s visit from Arsenal on Sunday, August 17 at 16:30 BST.

Mbeumo scored Brentford’s opener at home to Arsenal on January 1, although the Gunners came back to win 3-1.

United’s game against the 2024/25 runners-up is being shown live in the UK on Sky Sports Premier League, Ultra and Main Event.

The last round of matches this season will all start at the same time on May 24 2026. No rounds will take place within 60 hours of each other and there will be no fixture on December 24.