Mbeumo and Baleba offer Manchester United hope amid worst start in 40 years

Manchester United’s difficult start to the season produced two rare positives as Bryan Mbeumo and Carlos Baleba helped lift the mood during Saturday’s 1-1 draw with 10-man Tottenham at Old Trafford.

The result leaves the Red Devils with one win and six points from their opening six Premier League matches – their poorest start since the 1986-87 season.

Mbeumo broke the deadlock in the 73rd minute with a left-footed shot across goal, scoring against the run of play after United had struggled to establish control. Tottenham, who had been reduced to 10 men, rescued a point when Dominic Solanke equalised in added time.

The former Brentford forward had seen little service before his goal, but once again demonstrated why he could become one of the leading attacking figures in Michael Carrick’s project, or that of whoever succeeds him.

Mbeumo has already taken on an increasingly important role for Cameroon since the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where he began assuming greater attacking responsibility for the Indomitable Lions.

Baleba provided another encouraging moment after coming on in the 59th minute for Youri Tielemans. His introduction brought greater intensity to a midfield that had lacked impact, with the 21-year-old adding power, forward running and a more direct approach.

He almost helped create a second goal for Mbeumo, and former Manchester United defender Gary Neville noticed the difference. Having criticised the lack of dynamism in the Tielemans-Kobbie Mainoo partnership, Neville said Baleba brought “much more energy”.

The two Cameroon internationals offer contrasting qualities. Mbeumo supplies movement, direct running and composure in the final third, while Baleba has the strength to break lines and accelerate play from midfield. Together, they could provide a complementary partnership for a side still searching for rhythm and consistency.

Their importance to United’s plans is also reflected in the club’s spending. Baleba and Mbeumo are now among the most expensive African transfers in football history, after United paid 75 million euros for the forward in 2025, excluding bonuses, and 75.90 million euros for his younger international team-mate this summer.

Neither Mbeumo’s goal nor Baleba’s encouraging half-hour can disguise United’s wider problems. They were unable to protect their lead against a Tottenham side that remains without a victory, despite playing with 10 men.

However, in a match that exposed many of the same collective weaknesses, the Cameroon pair gave Carrick two reasons to believe that part of the answer may already be within his squad.