Lineker changes his mind: Mbeumo scored 5 goals for Man Utd
Lineker admits he had doubts about Bryan Mbeumo's £65m move from Brentford to Man Utd, but five goals in 10 games – including the opener against Liverpool and a brace against Brighton – contributed to a three-game winning run that took the team up to sixth.
Bryan Mbeumo is making an immediate impact in the Premier League: five goals in 10 appearances for Manchester United, including the opener against Liverpool and a brace against Brighton. That start has prompted Gary Lineker – who had been skeptical of Mbeumo’s adaptability – to publicly change his mind.
Manchester United spent £65m to bring the Cameroon international from Brentford. After initial doubts, a string of direct goal contributions and a positive morale boost that followed a first three consecutive wins since February that saw the Red Devils climb to sixth place have bolstered confidence in the deal.
Lineker changes his mind about Mbeumo at Man Utd
Speaking on the 'The Rest is Football' podcast, Lineker said: "He's really good, Mbeumo." He explained his initial scepticism stemmed from the gap between his playing background at Brentford and the pressure of playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world.
Lineker added: "The question mark for someone who has done so well at Brentford is whether, no disrespect to Brentford, they can make the leap to one of the giants of world football. You're never quite sure a player can handle that, but he clearly can. That doesn't faze Mbeumo at all."
Key developments: Liverpool and Brighton as measuring sticks
Two notable milestones have shaped Mbeumo’s assessment: the opener in the win over Liverpool and a brace against Brighton. These moments demonstrated the new signing’s ability to directly impact the outcome of big games, helping to turn skepticism into acceptance.
Adapting to pressure: from Brentford to Old Trafford
The key issue – according to Lineker – is the ability to handle pressure. The move from Brentford to Manchester United requires not only technical quality but also character. With five goals in 10 games, Mbeumo has responded both effectively and mentally, in what is arguably a more demanding environment.
Important statistics
| Category | Data |
|---|---|
| Transfer fee | 65 million pounds |
| Achievements | 5 goals in 10 appearances |
| Featured Match | Opened the scoring against Liverpool; scored twice against Brighton |
| Result string | First 3 consecutive wins since February |
| Current location | Sixth on the chart |
Reaction and impact on Manchester United
Lineker's views are echoed by Wayne Rooney: the former Man Utd striker admitted he had concerns about Mbeumo's ability to adapt, but recent performances have dispelled those concerns. It has been noted that a string of positive results has significantly improved the atmosphere at Old Trafford and pushed the team into the top six.
From a holistic perspective, Mbeumo’s story is a classic example of the high transfer pressure in the Premier League: goalscoring and impact in key games are the most convincing measures. The recognition from legends like Lineker and Rooney therefore carries the value of establishing a new signing at Manchester United in the early stages of the season.
