Bryan Mbeumo Makes First Start for Manchester United in Pre-Season Clash Against Everton

Bryan Mbeumo is officially making his first-ever start for Manchester United—a career milestone that’s lighting up the pre-season stage. The winger, signed for approximately £71 million from Brentford on July 21, has been steadily integrated into the squad and finally earned his spot in the starting XI for the club’s Premier League Summer Series finale against Everton in Atlanta on Sunday, August 3, 2025.

Manchester United lined up with Bayindir; Yoro, De Ligt, Shaw; Amad, Ugarte, Mainoo, Dalot; Fernandes; Mbeumo, and Cunha. Everton’s starting XI featured Pickford; O’Brien, Keane, Tarkowski; Garner, Gueye, Iroegbunam, Mykolenko; Ndiaye; Alcaraz; and Beto.

Bryan Mbeumo has finally stepped onto the field as a starter for Manchester United, marking a significant moment in his Old Trafford journey. The Cameroon international, whose pre-season involvement was delayed after Brentford began training later, has shown great dedication during fitness sessions and training camps in the US. Manager Ruben Amorim confirmed the selection ahead of the match, expressing eagerness: “He is going to play. I’m really excited to see him play and what he can give to our team.”

Amorim’s bold strategy sees Mbeumo deployed in a 3‑4‑3 formation as part of a front three alongside Bruno Fernandes and fellow summer signing Matheus Cunha. With Rasmus Højlund rested after a brace against Bournemouth, the coach appears willing to test Mbeumo and Cunha’s versatility—in both wing and central striker roles—giving them their first real opportunity to stake a claim ahead of the regular season launch.

United's Atlanta fixture is the closing match of their Premier League Summer Series tour. They arrived in the USA with a perfect record: 2‑1 over West Ham and a commanding 4‑1 win vs Bournemouth. Mbeumo was absent from both victories as he was building up match fitness after joining the squad later in pre-season.

This start is more than just minutes on the pitch—it's an audition. With the Premier League season kicking off in just two weeks, the friendly against Everton stands as a high-stakes opportunity for Mbeumo to impress in competitive action and push for a starting role in the new campaign.

Bryan Tetsadong Marceau Mbeumo, born 7 August 1999, is a Cameroonian international who previously played for Brentford, where he scored 65 goals in 222 league appearances. He joined Manchester United on 21 July 2025 on a contract through 2030.

Amorim has made clear that while the new signings are pivotal, the squad remains open to further reinforcements—especially in the striker position, with reports linking the club to targets like Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig. The performance of Mbeumo and Cunha this week will likely influence those decisions.

Bryan Mbeumo’s first Manchester United start is a defining professional moment. It represents not just a debut, but the launchpad for what the club and fans hope will be a transformative season under Ruben Amorim’s leadership. How he and Cunha perform in this final pre-season fixture could very well set the tone for United’s attacking structure ahead of the 2025–26 Premier League opener.