Bryan Mbeumo reveals why he snubbed Newcastle United to join Manchester United as Reds make wild accusations
Newcastle United went into this transfer window with Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo as their top target, according to many reports.
However, the Magpies soon walked away from a potential deal for the Cameroon international after learning of his outrageous wage demands and the fact that Mbeumo had his heart set on a move to Manchester United, who had also shown interest.
After weeks of negotiating, Manchester United finally got their man, and Bryan Mbeumo was announced as a Man United player on Monday, signing for a fee which could rise to an eye-watering £71 million to go along with his £250,000-a-week wages. Well done, Newcastle, for walking away.
To outsiders, it seemed very odd that Bryan Mbeumo would prefer a move to Manchester United, a club that looks to be in complete disarray, coming off the back of their worst-ever Premier League season in which they failed to secure any form of European football. Whereas Newcastle had finished fifth and lifted a trophy in the previous season, and are on a clear upward trajectory.
Of course, Bryan Mbeumo always supported Manchester United
After the move, Mbeumo provided some clarity on what it was that drew him to Manchester United, and of course, he spewed out the 'I grew up supporting them' line, but it was what he said after that that raised our eyebrows.
"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; 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.
"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."
Who has he been speaking to about the environment at that club that gave him a positive impression? You've got Sir Jim Ratcliffe wielding the axe left, right and centre, decimating the number of staff and along with it, the morale at the place, players revolting, albeit ones who are heading out of the club, you're playing in a stadium that doubles as a water feature and a rodent colony. What could possibly be attractive about that? AND, you'd have to look at Bruno Fernandes' face every day.
Manchester United showed grace and humility after signing Bryan Mbeumo ... sorry, not that, the other thing
Despite signing their man, Manchester United couldn't just do so with dignity and grace. According to the Manchester Evening News, Man United are fuming with Brentford over how the deal went down, accusing them of trying to divert Mbeumo to sign for Newcastle or Tottenham.
The report doesn't specifically name Jim Ratcliffe as the man pointing fingers and crying about Brentford's actions, but any Newcastle fan who was awake during the Dan Ashworth saga will know just how likely it is that it's the top man making all the noise.
We've never been big fans of Man United, and we'll admit that much of that was down to jealousy of their domination in the 90s, but under Jim Ratcliffe, they've become a hideous, wholly unlikable entity. And that's coming from us, fans of the club with the Saudi owners!!
The worst thing is, Ruben Amorim has recruited well this summer, and Man United, especially without European football, are going to be a force to be reckoned with next season.
