Mbeumo ‘trying to persuade’ highly-rated Premier League star to join Man Utd

Cameroon team-mate Carlos Baleba to join him at the theatre of dreams.

The £71million arrival from Brentford hasn’t spent much time at Old Trafford yet, but he’s already looking to contribute to the club’s rebuild, according to the Sun.

The report claims Mbeumo views Brighton’s 21-year-old midfield dynamo as a little brother and has been encouraging him to consider the move during the international break.

United had shown interest in Baleba during the summer transfer window, but Brighton held firm, demanding over £100million.

Currently sitting 10th in the league, United are under pressure, with Ruben Amorim facing scrutiny and a daunting trip to Anfield to take on Liverpool next.

Mbeumo and Baleba have been on international duty with Cameroon, where their bond has grown stronger.

The forward was seen comforting Baleba and shielding him from a pitch invasion after Cameroon’s shock defeat to Cape Verde in September.

Should Brighton decide to sell the midfielder, it would mark another impressive piece of business, having signed him as a replacement for Moises Caicedo, who netted them a £73m profit with his move to Chelsea.

Baleba cost the Seagulls just £23million from Lille but has already seen his value more than triple after a standout campaign last season.

However, the youngster has had a slightly challenging start to the current season, with manager Fabian Hurzeler acknowledging that United’s interest may have been a distraction.

He previously explained: “For sure, when a young boy reads that there’s interest from Manchester United with a big offer, it might affect him deeply, even if he’s not saying.

“That’s also part of the development, to understand that when you play well, there comes a big offer from a big club that wants to have him.

“Then, to keep pushing to be humble, stay here and be bright, and try to make the next step together with the team.”

He added: “I am a football coach because, first of all, of course I am obsessed with football.

“But second of all is seeing the improvement and development of the young players. And also helping them out of some bad phases.

“We talk a lot, for example, about Carlos. He had an incredible development last season and everyone was so pleased and so happy with him.

“Now there is a wave and it is really important to keep being with him, keep pushing him, keep supporting him. These are also moments I really enjoy.

“I think it is not only being there when everything is nice. It is easy when you are successful.”

Mbeumo, Baleba and the rest of the squad will now head into a World Cup play-off after a win and a draw during the international break saw them finish second in their group behind Cape Verde.

The forward has been one of the standout performers for Amorim’s side this season and could further win over supporters with a big performance against rivals Liverpool this Sunday.

Baleba, meanwhile, will feature for Brighton against Newcastle before reuniting with his big brother the following week when his team visits Manchester United.