Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville has delivered a pointed critique of Premier League rivals Arsenal and Chelsea, insisting both clubs should have pursued the signing of Bryan Mbeumo last summer. The Cameroon international joined Manchester United from Brentford for £65 million and has since emerged as one of the standout performers of the season.
Mbeumo's Impact at Old Trafford
Manchester United embarked on a significant spending spree during the 2025 summer transfer window, investing nearly £200 million to acquire Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko, and Senne Lammens. Among these arrivals, Mbeumo has proven particularly influential, netting ten goals across all competitions and demonstrating consistent threat in the final third.
His form has notably surged under the guidance of caretaker manager Michael Carrick, with three goals scored in his last five appearances. Most recently, Mbeumo provided the crucial assist for Benjamin Sesko's injury-time equalizer against West Ham, helping United maintain their unbeaten streak under Carrick's temporary leadership.
Neville's Blunt Assessment
Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Neville did not mince words regarding the transfer strategies of Arsenal and Chelsea. "If you look at it now, Mbeumo would probably have been better for Chelsea and Arsenal than the players they got," Neville asserted. He acknowledged Chelsea's acquisition of João Pedro as a decent signing but maintained that Mbeumo represented a superior option.
Regarding Arsenal's business, Neville was even more emphatic. "I mean, he would have been a sensation for Arsenal, wouldn't he?" he remarked. Neville described Mbeumo as "a good signing for Manchester United, a really solid signing" and admitted, "I like him a lot."
Arsenal's Summer Business and Wright's Regret
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta strengthened his attacking options last summer with the signings of Viktor Gyokeres and Noni Madueke. However, Gunners legend Ian Wright expressed agreement with Neville's assessment, revealing his disappointment that Mbeumo did not end up at the Emirates Stadium.
"He always looks dangerous," Wright said of Mbeumo. "When you see how he plays, absolutely [he would have strengthened Arsenal]." Wright compared the situation to Manchester City's £65 million capture of Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth, another player he believed would have suited Arsenal. "It's the same with Semenyo, you watch Semenyo and think, 'I could see him at Arsenal'. I could see Mbeumo at Arsenal as well. Gutted."
Chelsea's Transfer Activity
Chelsea, meanwhile, authorized another extravagant spending spree, bringing João Pedro, Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens, Alejandro Garnacho, and Estevao Willian to Stamford Bridge. Despite this considerable investment, Neville contends that Mbeumo would have represented a more astute acquisition for the Blues.
The forward's arrival at Old Trafford was initially overseen by former manager Ruben Amorim, who was dismissed last month after a disappointing 14-month tenure. Mbeumo's consistent performances have nonetheless provided a bright spot in a turbulent period for the club.
Neville's comments highlight the ongoing debate surrounding transfer market decisions and the potential impact of missed opportunities on Premier League title races and top-four battles. As the season progresses, Mbeumo's continued excellence for Manchester United will likely keep this discussion alive among pundits and fans alike.
