Bryan Mbeumo's performance for Manchester United against Atletico Madrid in Stockholm continued a trend from the second half of last season, as he scored twice in a 2-1 win. Since Michael Carrick's arrival in January and United's switch to a more stable 4-2-3-1 system, Mbeumo has played either as a centre-forward or a right-winger.
Role Change Under Carrick
The former Brentford man was often used as one of two No.10s by Ruben Amorim following his £71million switch from the Bees, but that position was put in cold storage when the Portuguese head coach was sacked. Mbeumo is comfortable on the right, having played 161 of his 242 games for Brentford on the wing, but he has also been deployed through the middle when Benjamin Sesko was struggling with fitness.
Mbeumo is a different type of striker from Sesko, lacking the same height but making up for it with strength, deeper runs, and link-up play. While Sesko often scored, Mbeumo linked all facets of the attack well.
Pre-Season Form
With Sesko continuing to work on his fitness after a shin injury, Mbeumo started centrally against Atletico, with Joshua Zirkzee dropping to the bench. Having looked short of rhythm earlier in pre-season, Mbeumo came to life in Sweden, scoring a coolly taken penalty and being in the right place at the right time for the second, plus other chances including a header narrowly wide.
All of Mbeumo's goals under Carrick have come when playing as a centre-forward: five in nine games last season, plus this double. The 26-year-old scored against Manchester City, Arsenal, and Tottenham in three of Carrick's first four games in charge, but then went 11 games without a goal when back on the right. When Sesko missed the end of the season, Mbeumo started as a striker in the final two games and scored in both.
Preference and Impact
Mbeumo is a taciturn character in front of the media, and when asked about his preferred position, he said: "I'm lucky to be able to play a different position and I try to give my best." On playing as a striker permanently, he replied: "Depends on the games."
Carrick will likely approach it similarly, shifting his approach based on the opponent. Mbeumo was more forthright about his decision to join United ahead of Tottenham last summer, saying: "I will never regret to have this challenge." With Tottenham in the Champions League and United not in Europe at all, he took a risk that has paid off. Mbeumo has yet to play any European fixture in his club career, but next month he will make his Champions League debut, potentially as a No.9.
