Bryan Mbeumo has the chance to strengthen his grip on Manchester United’s striker role when Michael Carrick’s side face Leeds United at Croke Park on Wednesday night.
Mbeumo has been one of United’s standout players during pre-season, scoring three goals across his last two appearances.
Benjamin Sesko’s continued absence has allowed the Cameroon international to operate through the middle. Another strong performance against Leeds could leave Carrick with an interesting decision once his recognised striker returns.
Bryan Mbeumo form gives Man Utd attacking answer
Mbeumo scored twice as United came from behind to beat Atletico Madrid before finding the net again during Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Paris Saint-Germain.
Manchester United’s official match report confirmed the PSG equaliser was his third goal in just two matches.
His influence extended beyond the goal.
United supporters subsequently voted Mbeumo their Player of the Match against PSG, underlining how comfortable he has looked leading Carrick’s attack.
ReadManUtd’s match report from Gothenburg also highlighted the forward’s impressive run of form after he cancelled out Ibrahim Mbaye’s early opener.
Mbeumo was signed as a player capable of operating across United’s forward line rather than simply as a conventional centre-forward.
Pre-season has already demonstrated why that flexibility could become valuable.
Benjamin Sesko return will give Carrick major decision
Sesko remains United’s obvious long-term option through the middle, but he has yet to play a minute during pre-season.
The Slovenian is back in training after a shin problem, although ReadManUtd reported on Wednesday that tonight’s Leeds game is expected to come too soon.
Saturday’s final friendly against AC Milan is a more realistic target.
That gives Mbeumo another opportunity to build momentum before Sesko returns.
Carrick does not have to choose permanently between the pair. Mbeumo can move wide when Sesko leads the line, while Amad and Matheus Cunha give United further options around them.
However, form still carries weight.
If Mbeumo scores again against Leeds, Carrick will enter the final week of pre-season with one of his attackers producing numbers which are difficult to ignore.
For a United side looking to start the Premier League campaign quickly, selecting the players in rhythm may be more important than sticking rigidly to a predetermined attacking hierarchy.
Mbeumo has already used Sesko’s absence to make his case.
One more decisive performance in Dublin could make Carrick’s first Premier League team considerably harder to predict.
