Manchester United finally completed their move for Bryan Mbeumo on Monday but now they face a serious problem
10:16, 23 Jul 2025Updated 12:33, 23 Jul 2025
Bryan Mbeumo pictured during his first Manchester United training session(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Manchester United’s delight after completing the signing of Bryan Mbeumo on Monday will have been tempered after taking one look at the Christmas schedule.
Following a prolonged negotiation period with Brentford, United managed to complete the signing of the 25-year-old for a fee of £65m plus a potential £6m in add-ons. The Bees fought hard to keep hold of their forward despite Mbeumo being adamant that he wanted to join the Reds.
MEN Sport understands United are disgruntled by the manner in which Brentford handled negotiations for Mbeumo. And, they are unlikely to be any happier when they take a look at the schedule for the forthcoming season.
United’s hectic Christmas schedule starts on December 20 against Aston Villa before playing three matches in a week against Newcastle, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leeds. A trip to Burnley comes up a few days later before the FA Cup third round.
The Reds will then officially end their busy schedule on January 17 when they face Manchester City in the derby. Unfortunately for them, Mbeumo is likely to play his last game of the festive period against Villa before joining his Cameroonian teammates for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Mbeumo, if fit, is more than likely to be called up to the side and if he is, he will be guaranteed to miss the Newcastle, Wolves and probably Leeds matches. Should Cameroon get out of the group stages, which is expected, he will then miss the Burnley match too.
As one of the favourites, Cameroon will be aiming to reach the final and if they complete their target, Mbeumo will miss the FA Cup third round match and the big derby as the final will be played on the same weekend. In total, there is a real possibility that the 25-year-old misses six domestic matches over Christmas which could pose a big problem for United during a crucial period of the season.
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