Manchester United’s prolonged pursuit of Bryan Mbeumo has become a symbol of deeper issues plaguing the club. As frustrations mount among supporters, The United Stand’s Mark Goldbridge has delivered a blistering assessment of United’s summer strategy, or lack thereof, in a podcast that spares no one, especially the club’s new ownership group, INEOS.

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Goldbridge opened the podcast with a grim summary: “The gap between Manchester United and Brentford on the valuation of Mbeumo remains considerable… talks continue, but a deal is still not imminent.”

That sentence set the tone for an intense, passionate broadcast. More than six weeks into negotiations for Mbeumo, United’s reluctance to meet Brentford’s valuation has led to widespread fan unrest. According to Goldbridge, “We are closer to the end of the window than we were to the start of this deal.”

Goldbridge did not hesitate to aim sharp criticism at INEOS, the club’s ownership group: “INEOS are no better than the Glazers… they have not shown any level of improvement.” He added, “They are so bad at it… it’s embarrassing how bad they are.”

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INEOS’ perceived incompetence was a recurring theme. Referencing the summer window, Goldbridge commented, “This is the worst summer transfer window we’ve had… this is without doubt the worst since David Moyes.” He even accused the ownership of prioritising appearances over action: “This is a PR exercise… they want to put themselves in a situation whereby they can say, ‘Look, we took seven weeks, but we got the deal done for £55 million.’”

Another standout quote came when Goldbridge vented, “Any Man United fan could do a better job than them… not everybody can run a football club even if they are billionaires.”

Beyond INEOS, the show’s discussion extended to United’s broader strategy. The host highlighted frustrations around failed or delayed deals: “Why is it Chelsea can get João Pedro in the space of a couple of days? Why is it Spurs are getting players in a couple of weeks?”

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Goldbridge proposed a stark diagnosis: “Either INEOS are frauds… or they’re completely out of their depth.”

The situation around Bryan Mbeumo appears to symbolise more than a stalled transfer; it’s a reflection of strategic disarray. “We’re not going to pay big money anymore. We’re Manchester United. We’re not going to get ripped off anymore,” Goldbridge suggested, describing what he sees as a misguided approach from decision-makers.

Photo: IMAGO

Fallout Among the Fans

Contributors to the podcast shared the sense of disillusionment. Viewer Andrew Lee submitted, “No ambition whatsoever.” Another, Richie, delivered a scathing remark: “They couldn’t run a bath, never mind a football club.”

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Goldbridge, clearly at breaking point, concluded: “They’re sucking the love out of the club, aren’t they?” That line resonates with many fans watching this saga unfold in real-time.

This episode of The United Stand podcast wasn’t just a rant; it was a reflection of a fanbase feeling increasingly distanced from the decisions made in the boardroom. And unless something changes soon, with or without Mbeumo, those sentiments will only grow louder.