Bryan Mbeumo has been a revelation since his summer move to Old Trafford, but the secret to his 10 goals and 3 assists this season might lie in a 64-square board rather than the tactics board.
In a candid episode of the ‘Inside Carrington’ podcast, the Cameroon international revealed his surprising pre-match ritual: playing chess in the Manchester United dressing room to sharpen his focus before kick-off.
The Grandmaster of Old Trafford?
Mbeumo, who provided the crucial assist for Benjamin Sesko’s winner against Everton on Monday, explained that he uses the game to tune out the noise.
- The Rank: Mbeumo boasts a respectable online rating of 850.
- The Ritual: “Listening to music and I also play chess sometimes [in the dressing room],” he told teammate Joshua Zirkzee.
Dressing Room Banter: Chess vs. Candy Crush
The podcast offered a rare glimpse into the chemistry of Michael Carrick’s squad. Joshua Zirkzee was quick to poke fun at Mbeumo’s skills, claiming the winger is “scared” to play him and recently lost a match to Matheus Cunha.
Zirkzee, however, revealed a much less “intellectual” hobby: “He’s scared to play against me. We’ve got a lot of guys that play chess, but I play Candy Crush!” The Dutchman also mentioned the squad used to bond over Clash of Clans.
Zirkzee’s “Silent” Impact
Despite his limited minutes under Carrick, Zirkzee has clearly impressed his teammates. Mbeumo admitted he was shocked by the striker’s technical ability:
“I was really impressed with Josh because he’s a lot more skilful than I thought. He can hold the ball so easily with his body and has a great strike.”
The “Patient” Bench: Sesko and Zirkzee
The playful exchange highlights a positive atmosphere at Carrington, even among players fighting for starts. Both Zirkzee and Benjamin Sesko have had to be patient under Carrick’s unbeaten run.
Sesko, who now has 7 Premier League goals, reinforced this selfless mentality: “It’s more about me showing up when it’s important, no matter how many minutes I’m getting. I’m focusing on delivering for the team.”
Ronald Mike is a football writer covering the English Premier League, providing match analysis, tactical insight, and coverage of key rivalries and title races across the season.
