Bryan Mbeumo strangely told to join Manchester United instead of Newcastle United’s ‘streaky project’

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Bryan Mbeumo is a leading Newcastle United transfer target heading into the summer window.

Mbeumo is coming off a fine season for Brentford in which he scored 20 Premier League goals, and Newcastle United have taken note.

Indeed, Newcastle have held positive transfer talks with Mbeumo, who is likely to be in demand given the success he’s enjoyed in west London.

Manchester United are interested in Mbeumo too, while other top clubs have been linked. Still, Mbeumo has responded positively to Newcastle’s interest and Eddie Howe’s side are clearly in a much better place than the Red Devils.

Journalist Ben Jacobs, however, appears to think otherwise.

• READ MORE: Bryan Mbeumo transfer: The 20-goal star forward Newcastle United want for the Champions League

Bryan Mbeumo not demanding Champions League football from his next club

Jacobs was speaking on The United Stand’s YouTube channel.

He revealed that Mbeumo wasn’t necessarily demanding Champions League football next season, which would no doubt help the Red Devils given they are not in the competition.

While he did concede that Newcastle represent a better move for the forward right now, Jacobs suggested that a move to Manchester may be better for his long-term career.

Jacobs said Newcastle’s project can be “streaky” considering they are not always guaranteed Champions League football. Neither are the Manchester giants of course, but Jacobs claimed they had “loftier” ambitions in the long-run when compared to Newcastle.

“I don’t think it’ll be the be all and the end all for the player to join a project without European football this season,” he said.

“Clearly, Newcastle have got that lure that Manchester United don’t, but I think Newcastle proved when they first got Champions League football and got knocked out of the group stage despite beating PSG that it still can be a bit of a streaky project, right?

“Even qualifying for Champions League, there’s links with [Anthony] Gordon and Liverpool which is historical. Plenty of clubs are tracking [Alexander] Isak even though it’s likely he will stay.

“[There’s a] Lot of talk about Bruno Guimaraes potentially leaving. Man City are interested in Tino Livramento, so Newcastle’s project doesn’t guarantee that for five straight seasons they’re just going to get European after European after European football.

“Manchester United’s probably the opposite. You feel that if Manchester United can break into the top four or top five, hopefully next season, that it’s an upward curve back towards the serial winners and the automatic qualification for top European football and silverware.

“That is ultimately the difference. Newcastle, ironically, is in a better place but is a more formative project. Manchester United is bigger, with more resources and loftier long-term plans.”

He added: “I don’t actually think that with this particular player the pitch will depend on European or no European football. It will more be about starting minutes and the long-term project.”

• READ MORE: How Newcastle United could line up next season as Toon eye early Marc Guehi and Bryan Mbeumo swoop

Manchester United cannot offer what Newcastle United can

Even former Old Trafford great Wayne Rooney is concerned Newcastle will overtake Manchester United in terms of being a better destination for top players.

No team is guaranteed Champions League football of course, but Newcastle look to be in a much better position to fight for it every season. They’d have qualified for Europe last season if it wasn’t for Manchester United winning the FA Cup in surprising circumstances, which would have made it two continental campaigns in as many seasons.  

The same can’t be said of the Red Devils. They’ve followed up finishing eighth by finishing 15^th and were only in Europe last season because they shocked Manchester City at Wembley.

A powerful Manchester United are a force to be reckoned with, there’s little doubt about that. However, they do not appear to be getting their act together any time soon.

A move to Newcastle looks a much better decision for Mbeumo’s career.