'A bit sceptical' – Wayne Rooney admits having initial doubts about Man Utd summer signing but now says he is being proven wrong

After a dream season at Brentford in the 2024-25 campaign that saw Mbeumo scoring 20 Premier League goals in 38 appearances, United approached the Bees to sign their star winger in the last transfer window. The Red Devils saw their first two bids turned down for Mbeumo but they eventually agreed on a deal to sign the Cameroon international for a deal worth a whopping £71 million ($95.5m).

Mbeumo had been Brentford's standout performer for the past few seasons, which convinced Ruben Amorim and United hierarchy to pursue a big-money move.

Despite his quality performances at Brentford, many had doubted his ability to adjust at big club like United, including Old Trafford legend Rooney. Mbeumo, however, has made a bright start and has featured in the club's starting lineup in all of their eight league matches this season. The 26-year-old scored his maiden goal against Burnley last month, before breaking the deadlock against Liverpool with a crucial early goal at Anfield on Sunday. He had also provided an assist in the 2-0 win over Sunderland. 

After the clash at Anfield, United legend Rooney admitted that he was 'a bit sceptical' of Mbeumo's abilities but he claimed he has now been proven wrong.

Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, the 39-year-old said: "For me he has been Manchester United's standout player this season and he hasn't got his rewards for his hard work and the sacrifices he's made for the team throughout the season. I thought it was a great goal [against Liverpool], and I'll be honest, I was a bit sceptical when Manchester United signed him, I didn't know if he had the ability to come and play for Manchester United, but he's proved me wrong.

"I think he's been a great addition to the team and by far United's best player of the season. That's such a huge win for the manager. I've been one of them, I've questioned decisions, tactics, players' desire over this season and last season and that win is massive, to win at Anfield – that's not easy to do."

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While Mbeumo's early strike handed United the much needed lead at Anfield, it was Harry Maguire whose clinical header earned the club the all-imprortant win and the crucial three points, the Red Devils desperately needed.

Rooney heaped praise on the English defender for his mental strength: "I think with Harry, I would really struggle to have dealt with what he's been through. You know, he was a meme for years. I think I've seen him in parliament, over in Africa somewhere where he's getting brought up in that and they're laughing at him. So for him to have dealt with so much of what he's dealt with, he's incredibly strong-minded.

"Then, getting the armband taken off him and people laughing at him and you're like, this guy has been in World Cup teams of the tournament and been incredible for England, been really good for Man Utd and it's completely unfair, and it was bullying. He was getting bullied from all over the place and for him to have dealt with that and got through it and stuck with it, you'd have to say 'you know what, that's a strong human being'. And for him to get through that and his family to get through that and come out the other side and show his ability, quality and strength, I couldn't be happier for him."

With two back-to-back wins in the league, Amorim now wants his team to remain consistent. Reflecting on the game, Amorim told reporters: "It is really important. I don't have many wins in Manchester. It is really important back to back, every detail of this game, the spirit when we suffer a bad moment or control, all the small things was perfect. Let's try to do that next week. It is really important for our fans, they struggle against Grimsby and Brentford and today they saw a different team."

The Red Devils next face Brighton on October 25 in the Premier League at Old Trafford.