Keith Andrews is hopeful that Bryan Mbeumo will get a warm welcome back from fans when Manchester United play Brentford on Saturday.
However, he has warned the former Bees forward that he’s in for a ‘not nice reception on the pitch’ during the Premier League clash.
United travel to the G-tech Community Stadium hoping to win back-to-back league games under Ruben Amorim for the first time following their 2-1 victory against Chelsea.
All eyes will be on Mbeumo who switched west London for Manchester over the summer in a transfer worth up to £71million.
The 26-year-old played a key role in getting Brentford promoted to the Premier League and then keeping them there, recording a career-best 20 goals and nine assists last season.
Get personalised updates on Manchester United every day
Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you.
While supporters were naturally disappointed to see him leave, Andrews, speaking in his pre-match press conference, says his former player should get a ‘really good reception from the fans’.
‘Bryan epitomises everything good about this football club. Six years at the club, couple in the championship, arrived as a 19-year-old. He was from France, spoke very little English, developed as a young man, developed as a player.
‘He was given time, patience, support, and I think the way it went last year was the culmination of that six-year work, that six-year journey where so many people in that building played a part in his in his development.
‘I know for a fact he really appreciates that. He appreciates the fans. I think it just epitomises what what this club is about.’
Andrews replaced Thomas Frank as Brentford boss over the summer, his first managerial job, and has won just one league game so far, but says his knowledge of Mbeumo means the Bees can nullify his threat.
‘Bryan rightly should get a really good reception. Having said that, I don’t want us to give him a nice reception on the pitch,’ he added.
‘Yes, we know all about him, all his qualities We’re very aware of what a good player is and we’ll help hopefully try to nullify that by making an afternoon that he doesn’t enjoy.’
Mbeumo has scored twice in his first six appearances and has spoken out about his ‘tough’ start to life at Old Trafford, but Amorim is delighted with the Cameroon international’s contribution so far.
The United head coach said: ‘It’s really important everything he brings. He is always there to help us, he runs a lot, he presses a lot. He is a different threat to last season. He takes set pieces. So I am really happy with him.
‘That is also the good thing, to have time to get to know the player. It was important to bring players from our league so you can understand what they bring. But in the end, you never know, so we were lucky with Bryan.’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.