With less than a fortnight to go until the transfer window opens for business, reports linking Manchester United with Crystal Palace ace Michael Olise are gathering pace.
United plan to strengthen their attacking options this summer and Olise is a player who has been on the lips of just about everyone in the last few months. He enjoyed an eye-catching 2023/24 campaign at Palace, scoring 10 goals and registering six assists in just 19 games.
Following Antony’s struggles since joining the club from Ajax in September 2022 and uncertainty continuing to surround Jadon Sancho’s future, it would be no surprise to see United swoop for another right-winger this summer. However, if they do, they need to get it right.
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In a bid to achieve that, it is a multifunctional forward they should go in search of. As decorated as United’s current forward line is, they do not have a player who is equally capable of playing both through the middle and out wide.
Marcus Rashford has often flittered between the left-wing and the centre of the attack, but he has admitted on several occasions that he prefers to play out wide. His performances through the middle support that statement.
In recent years, clubs have increased the level of versatility within their forward lines. Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal have all prospered from having multifunctional forwards within their attacking ranks.
Liverpool, for example, have Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo who are all equally capable of playing out wide or through the middle. Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard have done the same at Arsenal.
United, however, do not currently have that luxury, and that is what makes links with Olise understandable. However, the Frenchman isn’t a player who can step up and play as a centre-forward, with his versatility seeing him roam between the right-wing and the attacking-midfield position.
As good a trait as that is, United should be looking in the market for a player who can operate as a winger and a striker. With that in mind, Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo could be the answer.
The Cameroonian, 24, has established himself as one of the most underappreciated attackers in the Premier League over the last three seasons, playing a starring role in helping Brentford establish themselves as a top flight club. Scoring nine goals and registering six assists this season, he has notched a respectable 22 goals and registered 21 assists in 98 Premier League appearances.
The bulk of his goals have come when he has started on the flank, but he has also delivered the goods when deployed centrally. He would be a better fit for United as a goalscoring winger, but he could provide support for Rasmus Hojlund, who desperately needs competition through the middle.
Recently, the former Troyes man, who is under contract at Brentford until 2026, admitted he would like to experience a new challenge at some point in the future, testing himself at a bigger club.
“I have spent five years at Brentford, at a club that has allowed me to grow and pass a milestone but yes, I would like to play in the biggest competitions, at the best clubs”, Mbeumo told French newspaper L’Equipe.
“It is tantalising to see some big clubs interested in me. We will see. You have to be ready for the future.”
Having laid down the gauntlet, Mbeumo cannot be criticised for having big ambitions. He has established himself as a consistent performer in the Premier League and it is surely only a matter of time before one of of the division’s elite go knocking on Brentford’s door.
His attacking output speaks for itself and United need more goals from the wide areas. In Mbeumo, they could potentially kill two birds with one stone.