Relational goalkeeper! It was revealed that Onana helped Amorim lobby Mbeumo, and staying at Manchester United in the summer window was almost a foregone conclusion

Despite Tottenham's involvement in the race for Mbeumo, United remain confident of signing the Brentford striker. The Red Devils' Cameroonian goalkeeper Andre Onana has also assisted coach Ruben Amorim as a lobbyist, and while it is unlikely to influence Mbeumo's decision, it could protect Onana's relationship with the coach.

Allegedly, Mbeumo told friends that he only wanted to join Manchester United, but that didn't stop Tottenham from making a move, and they hired the player's mentor, Thomas Frank, who led Mbeumo for six years, helping him rise from Ligue 2 youngster to fourth top scorer in the Premier League.

Manchester United have reached a verbal agreement with Mbeumo and the challenge now is how to make a transfer fee offer that will satisfy Brentford. Meanwhile, the Manchester Evening News claims Onana has also taken action to try to help the club bring in the 25-year-old national team-mate. Although Mbemo was born in France and grew up and played there, he chose to play for his father's native Cameroon.

It is worth mentioning that Mbemo has indeed been persuaded by his compatriots during his career. He had the opportunity to represent France, but was persuaded by Eto'o to choose Cameroon. The Daily Mirror reported that in the summer of 2022, then-Cameroon Football Federation president Samuel Eto'o personally invited Mbeumo. "It was just the two of us, in a restaurant," Mbemo later confirmed, "and he came to London to meet me, and I realised it was a valuable opportunity." At first I couldn't decide whether to accept it or not, but I was so moved by the idea that I chose to fight for my father's country."

Onana and Mbeumo, who are not involved in Cameroon's friendlies against Uganda and Equatorial Guinea this month, were last in their country in the 2026 US-Canada-Mexico World Cup African qualifiers against Libya in March. Fans will remember that Onana once rushed to the front of the field when Mbeumo took a free-kick and gave advice to the "juniors".

It's one thing whether the other party listens or not, but Onana, who likes to be in the limelight, will not let go of the opportunity to be the protagonist. So it's no surprise that Mbeumo is giving advice when he could move to Manchester United. Despite his poor first two seasons at Manchester United, Onana is expected to remain – probably mainly because he can't find a home.

Manchester United spent 50 million euros to bring in Onana, who enjoys a salary of more than £120,000, which is difficult for European teams to match. But it is also an indisputable fact that United manager Amorim has maintained a good relationship with the 29-year-old goalkeeper, with the pair embracing and celebrating in the Europa League.

United do arrange for club or international team-mates to help convince target players to join the club, and when Ten Hag was in charge, a total of six Ajax players were together at Manchester United. In addition, when Hojlund and Patrick Dolgu moved in, Danish senior Eriksen also played his part.

Even if Onana stays, United could still bring in a new goalkeeper, which is linked to the departure of Turkish goalkeeper Altay Baindil. In order to compete for next year's World Cup, Baindir could apply for a transfer to a club where he can play the main team. Turkish Super League teams are interested in him, including former Manchester United coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Besiktas.

If Bayndil leaves, Amorim will need a number two goalkeeper, with All Atalanta reporting that Atalanta's Marco Caneseki is one of the candidates. But this is a goalkeeper who can challenge Onana's status, not a mere substitute, with Atalanta asking £38 million.