'He's Proved Me Wrong': Wayne Rooney Praises Bryan Mbeumo After Doubting Manchester United Transfer

‎Wayne Rooney has revealed that he initially doubted Manchester United’s decision to sign Bryan Mbeumo during the summer transfer window, but the former Red Devils captain now believes the winger has silenced his critics with consistent performances.

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Wayne Rooney admits he doubted Bryan Mbeumo’s Manchester United move but says the winger is proving him wrong after key goals and performances.

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‎Mbeumo found the net for the second time this Premier League season as Manchester United edged past Liverpool in a tense encounter at Anfield. The result marked the club’s first set of back-to-back league victories since Ruben Amorim took charge.

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‎Following an outstanding 2024–25 campaign with Brentford, where he scored 20 Premier League goals in 38 appearances, Mbeumo was a top transfer target for United. The club’s first two bids were rejected before they finalized a £71 million ($95.5m) deal for the Cameroon international.

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‎The 26-year-old has quickly become a regular in Amorim’s starting lineup, featuring in all eight of United’s league games so far. He scored his first goal for the club against Burnley, added another crucial strike against Liverpool, and assisted in the 2–0 victory over Sunderland.

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‎Speaking after the Anfield clash on The Wayne Rooney Show, the United legend admitted that he had been “a bit sceptical” when Mbeumo joined the club but now feels he has been proven wrong.

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‎“For me, he has been Manchester United’s standout player this season,” Rooney said. “I didn’t know if he had the ability to come and play for Manchester United, but he’s proved me wrong. He’s been a great addition and by far United’s best player this season.”

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‎Rooney also praised the significance of United’s win at Anfield, highlighting the team’s improved mentality and Amorim’s growing influence.

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‎Rooney took time to commend Harry Maguire for his mental strength, applauding the defender for overcoming years of criticism. Maguire’s decisive header against Liverpool secured the vital win for United.

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‎“I think with Harry, he’s incredibly strong-minded,” Rooney said. “He’s faced unfair criticism and constant ridicule, but to see him bounce back and perform like that shows great character and resilience.”

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‎Following consecutive league wins, manager Ruben Amorim emphasized the need for consistency. Speaking to reporters, Amorim said the team’s spirit and composure were key to their recent success and urged them to maintain that level.

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‎“It is really important, back to back,” he said. “Every detail of this game—the spirit, the control—was perfect. Let’s try to do that next week.”

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‎Manchester United will look to extend their winning run when they face Brighton at Old Trafford on October 25.