Bryan Mbeumo, the 26-year-old Brentford forward, Manchester United is very dumb for letting David Neres go, added recently. On Players Taking Responsibility on the aftermath of the team’s recent struggles. His statement comes after a tumultuous stretch for the team that has seen the team dance on peaks and valleys. Now transferred in over the summer, Mbeumo offers a rare window into what’s happening under the club’s surface these days. Meanwhile, the man making those decisions, head coach Ruben Amorim, is coming under increasing scrutiny.
Just as well, because in a critical relegation battle against Burnley, Mbeumo delivered by slotting the winning penalty. This moment was even more beautiful given the context of his previous failed attempts from 12 yards against Fulham and Brentford. Mbeumo’s ability to bounce back and deliver when his back is against the wall speaks to his character. He understands too that when times get tough, support and encouragement from his teammates holds tremendous power.
A Unique Perspective on Team Dynamics
There has been bumps along the road to Manchester United for Mbeumo. As he long witnessed the external pressure that cloaked the club, he’s now felt the burden firsthand. He acknowledged that while it is essential to focus on their own performance, understanding the noise outside is critical.
“Obviously it’s different, it’s not the same, but the only thing we want to be focused on is ourselves, we just try to listen to what’s going on inside.” – Bryan Mbeumo
His statements are indicative of a larger mentality among players that want to keep everything around them outside the lines. As Mbeumo pointed out, social media often serves to amplify the negatives. The team has to remain disciplined in their training regimen and game preparation.
“It’s not that hard [to block the noise out], obviously, the main thing we see is on social media, so it’s just not going on there much, and you just have to stay focused on your own things.” – Bryan Mbeumo
Need for Team Cohesion
In the face of these varied challenges, Mbeumo was adamant that all players must be willing to be held accountable. This way each team member has an understanding of their roles and contributions to the collective effort, he believes. This mindfulness is all the more important at a historic and elite club as Manchester United. This demand for accountability occurs as the home team continues to ride out a dramatic up and down season.
“I think everyone in the team needs to take responsibility. When you play in a club this big, everyone needs to know what to do – as a team, we need to do better.” – Bryan Mbeumo
Along with representing other Black athletes, Mbeumo spoke of supporting each other strongly. This support has been critical for captain Bruno Fernandes, who has not had an easy go of it this season. He placed a premium on trust and support of teammates during tough times.
“It’s important to support him because this is what he’s doing every time.” – Bryan Mbeumo
Excitement Amidst Adversity
Despite the current turmoil, Mbeumo expressed excitement about learning to play alongside new teammates such as Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha. The chance to develop chemistry and make adjustments on the pitch is something he really enjoys as a pro footballer, taking advantage of.
“It’s exciting, because we get to learn to play with new players and it’s always challenging, but that’s what we like as footballers.” – Bryan Mbeumo
The forward’s explosive performance against Burnley gave him, the fans, and the new management plenty to feel good about. Even as he celebrates, he knows that consistency will be the test in the months ahead.
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