After weeks of negotiation, Manchester United finally agreed a deal to sign Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford.
The Cameroon international has so far scored two goals for the club against Grimsby Town and Burnley.
Mbeumo has impressed in many other matches showing speed, crossing and an ability to cut in and shoot from threatening positions.
The Athletic have conducted an in-depth interview with the forward’s family and friends in his hometown of Avallon about his past and his present.
Role of family
Mbeumo’s family have always been vital for him and they were present when he signed his United deal at Carrington.
His sister Maeva spoke of how hard it was for her when her brother moved from Troyes to Brentford in 2019.
She claimed, “I didn’t have my brother any more. It was hard but he was happy, that’s life. For mum, it was even worse.”
His sister also mentioned how they almost missed the flight as they were so unfamiliar with the concepts of airplanes and travel.
Early life
Mbeumo was described by his sister as a kid who would jump at the chance to play football. She explained that the only punishment that would work for her mum would be to take away his football privileges.
She added, “Bryan was a pain in the backside! He was just messing around, all the time. My mother couldn’t take it anymore.”
Unique
His former sports teacher Patrick Bocque described him as “like a UFO”.
In spite of his small stature, he had bundles of endurance, speed and coordination which allowed him to dominate in cross-country competitions.
Mbeumo could have competed in numerous sports but his true love was football and there was never going to be any other route.
The Athletic add that, “if he was not playing football, Mbeumo would most often stay at home, playing video games such as FIFA or Dofus with Creton (friend and teammate at his first team Avallon), calling each other on Skype to strategise.”
His former teammates describe him as a “a free spirit. We’d leave him in the middle of the pitch, give him the ball, and off he went.” A couple of his former colleagues did joke that he had no right foot to speak of, however.
Troyes adventure
Mbeumo’s talents were not kept a secret for long and Troyes eventually swooped in for him.
The move was a big transition for his family and his sister asserted, “it was strange because my brother was around every day, and then overnight, he was gone. I missed him. Even if he went crazy playing on his console, shouting all the time, stamping his feet, you’re still there with him. But when I came home, there was nothing. Mum missed him, she cried all the time.”
Benjamin Bureau, Mbeumo’s coach at Troyes highlighted what set the then 17 year old apart. He stated, “sometimes when the ball is far away, young players tend to switch off but he would anticipate.”
The youngster struggled with homesickness and eventually overcame the tendency to rage and sulk at his own bad performances that he had started at his first team.
His former coach claimed, “that’s what brought him to the top. I’m not at all surprised by everything he’s done. He wanted to succeed in football but he put everything into it. From a little boy emerged a great man and a great professional.”
Frequent returner
Mbeumo regularly return to his home village, spending time visiting his former school and club.
His sister Maeva concludes, “when you see him walking down the street, he has a presence that makes you think he’s proud. But when you talk to Bryan, you realise he is a calm person who is not at all proud or self-centred.”
She continued, “money does not go to his head. He has not changed, he has not forgotten where he comes from, his family, his first steps. He stays humble.”
Featured image Gareth Copley via Getty Images
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Alex Browne
Alex is a huge Manchester United fan, inspired by greats of his homeland such as George Best, Harry Gregg and Norman Whiteside. Alex has a Master’s degree from Queen’s University Belfast and La Universitat Rovira i Virgili in Tarragona, Spain. Having lived in the country since 2011, Alex is The Peoples Person’s Spanish football expert and is fluent in both Spanish and Catalan. He dreams of witnessing a United captain triumphantly hoisting the Premier League and Champions League trophy in the air once more.
