Bryan Mbeumo has demonstrated to incoming Manchester United head coach Mauricio Pochettino that he can thrive on the right wing, as the club are linked with a £40 million move for Folarin Balogun. United sit 18th in the Premier League with just one win from their first 10 games this season.
Pochettino Set to Take Charge
Michael Carrick was dismissed on Thursday morning, with Pochettino quickly appointed as his successor. The 54-year-old is currently guiding the United States national team through their quarter-final double header with Haiti, but he is expected to arrive at Carrington on Wednesday, November 18, to officially take charge.
Pochettino may have significant plans for the January transfer window to bring in players who fit his system. Ruben Amorim was given little transfer budget in January 2025, months after his appointment, and the Reds finished 15th that season.
Balogun Linked as Transfer Target
One player Pochettino could look to bring in is Balogun, who he has worked with at USMNT for the past two years. The Monaco striker was set to join Everton in the summer, but the £40 million deal broke down in the closing stages of deadline day. Due to limited game time this season, the 25-year-old is still seeking a change of scenery, with the French club also keen to do business.
Pochettino could command that move given his relationship with the centre-forward, providing more flexibility and cover for the injured Benjamin Sesko, while allowing Mbeumo to play in his preferred right-wing position. The Cameroonian has been playing up top recently and has struggled, but he has proven his effectiveness in his favoured role during the international break.
Mbeumo Impresses for Cameroon
The 27-year-old played a major part in Cameroon's win over Namibia on Thursday in the AFCON qualifiers. After Saidou Alioum Moubarak's opener in the 16th minute, Mbeumo burst behind the opposition backline on the half-hour mark, beat his man at the byline and set up Bil Nsongo to make it 2-0.
In an ideal scenario for many fans, United would secure Balogun and rotate him with Sesko at the top of the park, allowing Mbeumo to work on the wing. That could also address a lack of creativity in the opposition's half, which has been problematic this term.
Young Talents Send Messages
Other players may also benefit from Pochettino's arrival. Shea Lacey scored a brace in England U20s' 6-1 win over Czechia's youth team on Thursday evening. The 19-year-old winger has featured seven times for the Reds this season, including three Premier League and three Champions League matches, while also scoring in their Carabao Cup loss to Brighton in September.
Harry Amass also managed an assist against Czechia U20s, while Ayden Heaven started under Darren Moore. Whether Pochettino will give the trio more frequent game time remains to be seen, though he has developed younger talents during his previous spells with Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton.
