BRYAN MBEUMO claimed he chose Manchester United because he believes he WILL win silverware with his “dream” club.
Cameroon ace from in time to join Ruben Amorim’s squad on today’s flight to Chicago for the Prem’s Summer Series games in the USA.
But while are thrilled at pulling off what they regard as a major transfer “coup”, there is anger at Brentford’s attempt to sell the African star to Spurs or Newcastle instead of Old Trafford.
, 25, joined for £65m up front plus £6m in potential add-ons, nearly six weeks after United’s opening £55m bid was rejected by the Bees, and said he was joining his boyhood side.
He said: “As soon as I knew there was a chance to join Manchester United, I had to take the opportunity to sign for the club of my dreams.
“This is the team whose shirt I wore growing up. My mentality is to always be better than I was yesterday.
“I know that I have the spirit and character to reach another level here, learning from Ruben Amorim and playing alongside world-class players.”
Mbeumo added he had been sold the club’s vision both on and off the pitch.
He explained: “Everybody told me about the environment that is being created here and how exciting the plans are for the future.
“This is a massive club, with an incredible stadium and amazing fans, we are all really determined to challenge for the biggest trophies.”
The deal followed United’s £62.5m capture of Wolves’ Brazilian Matheus Cunha, with the duo set to be in harness when Amorim’s side face West Ham in New Jersey on Saturday in the opening leg of the three-match tournament.
United are delighted with the signing, believing they beat off competition from Arsenal as well as Spurs and Newcastle, while there was also a late move by Chelsea.
Club chiefs feel the deal proves the club is still showing a desire to spend big but also making football rather than commercial decisions.
Amorim’s need for attacking reinforcements has been significantly met, while Mbeumo’s decision is seen as evidence that United remain a club that top players want to join.
There is, though, a degree of frustration and disappointment at Brentford’s handling of the deal, with the asking price understood to have reached a total of £77m at one point.
United believe Brentford did not want to sell to them and tried hard to complete a deal with either Newcastle or Tottenham rather than allowing him an easy passage to Old Trafford, including suggesting his wage requirements were lowered to allow them to demand a higher fee.
Brentford, though, argue that Mbeumo was told that was a way to break the impasse over the fee, when United were unwilling to reach the Bees’ asking price.
They insist United attempted to blow their rivals out of the water by making Mbeumo a mega-money wages offer but then used that in an attempt to crowbar them into accepting a lower fee, which brought a strong-arm response.
And with former Bees boss Thomas Frank now in charge at Spurs, he would have told Tottenham Brentford’s bottom price, meaning the North Londoners started with a higher offer than United.
Nevertheless, the deal is a positive move for United and comes as Marcus Rashford closes in on his loan move to Barcelona, with the England star having travelled to Catalonia for his medical.
United could also up their interest in Aston Villa’s Argentine World Cup-winning keeper Emi Martinez, with Andre Onana a major doubt for the start of the season after his hamstring injury.
And with Rashford on his way, the rest of the Old Trafford “bomb squad” will be left behind at Carrington when Amorim and his squad fly at lunchtime.
Jadon Sancho, Antony, Tyrell Malacia and Alejandro Garnacho have all been told they have no future at United.
