Former Manchester United captain Rio Ferdinand has lavished praise on the club’s recent signing, Bryan Mbeumo, calling the winger’s form this season “nothing short of outstanding.”
Ferdinand, speaking on his YouTube podcast, expressed his admiration for the Cameroonian international, who has quickly established himself as one of Rúben Amorim’s most influential players since joining the team in the summer.
Mbeumo, 26, completed a £71 million transfer from Brentford to Manchester United in July, a move that initially raised eyebrows due to the hefty price tag.
However, he has silenced critics in emphatic fashion. Since arriving at Old Trafford, the winger has scored six goals and registered one assist in just 12 appearances across all competitions.
Impressively, five of those goals have come in the Premier League, directly contributing to United’s recent five-game unbeaten streak, which has reignited belief among fans after a shaky start to the campaign.
When asked to identify the most pivotal players behind United’s resurgence, Ferdinand named three with Mbeumo topping his list.
“Bryan Mbeumo has been an absolute joke,” Ferdinand said, using the slang expression to describe a player performing at an elite level. “He’s come into this team and made himself undroppable.
He can hold the ball under pressure, create space for others, score vital goals, and still have the energy to track back. That’s exactly what United have been missing on the flanks for years.”
Ferdinand went on to echo comments once made by Brentford manager Thomas Frank, who had previously described Mbeumo as being close to a “complete winger.”
Agreeing with that assessment, Ferdinand added, “By the time this season ends, I think Mbeumo will be one of the most complete wide players in the Premier League.
He’s got pace, power, intelligence, and the right mentality. The only thing he needs to do is stay consistent and keep performing in a United shirt.”
The former defender also took the opportunity to praise two other players he believes have been instrumental in United’s recent upturn — Matthijs de Ligt and Senne Lammens.
According to Ferdinand, De Ligt has been “United’s most dependable defender,” citing his leadership and crucial interventions in key moments, including his dramatic late goal against Tottenham.
“His positioning, anticipation, and aggression are exactly what you want from a top-class centre-back,” he said. “He’s commanding the backline the way great United defenders used to.”
Turning his attention to goalkeeper Senne Lammens, Ferdinand acknowledged the Belgian’s calm presence between the posts. “You can’t underestimate what he’s done,” he said.
“It’s no coincidence that our form improved once he started playing regularly. The defense looks more confident with him behind them — and that trust spreads through the whole team.”
Meanwhile, fellow United legend Gary Neville shared his optimism about the club’s trajectory. Speaking to Sky Sports, Neville argued that the Red Devils should be aiming high given their current momentum.
“They should absolutely be targeting a top-four finish,” he said. “No team has fully secured those Champions League spots yet, so it’s still wide open for them. With the energy they’re showing now, they’ve got a real chance.”
Currently sitting seventh in the Premier League, Manchester United will resume their campaign after the international break with a crucial match against Everton on November 24.
With Mbeumo in scintillating form and Amorim’s system beginning to click, fans are hopeful the team’s revival can continue — and Ferdinand’s glowing endorsement only reinforces the growing belief that United may finally be finding their rhythm once again.
