Bryan Mbeumo highlights positives despite Manchester United’s defeat to Chelsea

Bryan Mbeumo has admitted Manchester United were disappointed after their 2-0 defeat to Chelsea but believes there were encouraging signs in their performance, particularly during the first half.

United created several promising opportunities before the break but failed to convert them, eventually suffering another setback at Stamford Bridge after second-half goals from Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer.

Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, the Cameroon international felt his side could have gone into half-time with a comfortable advantage.

“A lot of disappointment. I think we have done a lot of right things, especially in the first half when we could have been up one or two-nil,” Mbeumo said.

“I think the first half we had a lot of chances, which is a positive. The last few games we didn’t create a lot, but obviously they’re a good team with qualities.”

The forward also praised the team’s mentality and work rate despite another disappointing result.

“What we have shown today, the mentality was there. Everyone worked really hard and we still have to find some bits at the training ground. Work even harder and yes, we have two very important games.”

Mbeumo was also asked whether the players felt they had let manager Michael Carrick and their teammates down, but dismissed that suggestion.

The United forward acknowledged that playing with 10 men following Lisandro Martínez’s dismissal made the contest more difficult but insisted the squad remained united.

“No, obviously not. I think the mentality was there right from the first minute. More difficult with 10 men. We still trust everyone. With the man down, there was a little bit of frustration at the end. But I think we have done everything as a team today.”

He added: “Maybe today, we just missed some chances. We could have led early in the match, but that’s a positive to take out of this game.”

The defeat extended Manchester United’s winless run in the Premier League to seven matches, their longest such sequence since an eight-game spell between April and May 2025.

United have now gone nine matches without a victory in all competitions, increasing the pressure on Carrick as the club attempts to turn around its difficult campaign.

Mbeumo will hope United can build on the encouraging aspects of their first-half display when they return to action in their upcoming fixtures against Roma and Aston Villa.