Manchester United forward Bryan Mbeumo has spoken positively about former Brentford teammate Ollie Watkins, a player currently linked with a potential move to Old Trafford. According to reports, United are focusing their striking options on RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Šeško and Watkins, who is already established in the Premier League.

Mbeumo, who played alongside Watkins during the 2019–20 Championship season, highlighted his former teammate’s versatility and attributes as a forward. “I think he’s really complete…a complete striker,” Mbeumo said on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast. “He can do a lot of things. He can drop or go in behind. And I think this is really good for me or [any] winger because you can use his space to fit in there. And he can combine as well. So, I think it’s really good.”

During their time together at Brentford, Mbeumo, Watkins, and Matheus Cunha made a significant impact, contributing a combined 49 goals and assists in the Championship. Saïd Benrahma also featured prominently in the attacking trio, adding 25 goals and assists of his own.

Mbeumo reflected on his early days at Brentford, noting language challenges and how relationships off the pitch helped his integration: “At the start for me it was hard because I wasn’t speaking really good English. So, I clicked straight away with Saïd, who was speaking French and he’s a great player. We had Ollie, who I got to know over time, because I think it’s really important as well to have a really good relationship off the pitch with your teammates. And, after my English got better, I could have a good chat with him.”

Manchester United’s Mason Mount has opened up on a recent conversation with England manager Thomas Tuchel, which has reignited hopes of a return to international duty after two and a half years away. The 26-year-old midfielder, who regained his fitness late last season and featured in United’s final 14 games, is eager to secure a more pivotal role at club level to boost his chances of an England recall.

Mount described the call from Tuchel during United’s preseason tour in the United States: “He called me and he said that he’s calling a lot of players and just wanted to catch up. I don’t know how many players he probably called, 40 or 50 maybe. But it was good to see his face, good to catch up with him and good to speak to him.”

Having been a key figure under Tuchel’s management at Chelsea, where he contributed to the club’s Champions League victory, Mount is aware that this does not guarantee his place in the national squad. “He said to me, ‘There’s no guarantees, even though you played for me.’ But it gives you more. You want to push even more to be able to be back in the squad. So it was really good to speak to him and see what he’s preparing.”

Mount also highlighted Tuchel’s enthusiasm for his new England role: “He looked very excited and had loads of energy, like I remember, and was bang up for the new role.”

However, Mount faces stiff competition in midfield for England, with established players like Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice, and Morgan Rogers, as well as others including Jordan Henderson, Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, Eberechi Eze, and Morgan Gibbs-White all vying for a spot.

Borussia Dortmund are reportedly in discussions about a potential third signing of Jadon Sancho, a move that could conclude his current stint at Manchester United. Interest from Juventus appeared promising but stalled after the Italian club secured Francisco Conceição permanently and are now awaiting further sales before pursuing additional transfers.

Sky Sport Germany reports that Dortmund officials have been holding confidential talks about re-acquiring Sancho, with Manchester United’s asking price believed to be no more than €20 million (£17.3 million, $23.2 million).

Sancho originally made his name at Dortmund after departing Manchester City’s academy at 17 in search of regular first-team football. He developed into one of world football’s most talked-about wingers, registering an impressive 109 goals and assists between 2018 and 2021. This form prompted Manchester United to invest significantly in bringing him back to the Premier League.

The England international returned to Dortmund on loan during the second half of the 2023–24 season after falling out of favour under then-United boss Erik ten Hag, helping the club reach the Champions League final. The ongoing negotiations suggest he may soon make a permanent return to the Bundesliga club.