Mbeumo: Watching the Champions League Draw as a Participating Player for the First Time Feels Very Unique

At 3 a.m. Beijing time on September 11, Manchester United will host Shabab Baku in the first round of the Champions League league phase. On the eve of the match, Manchester United forward Mbeumo attended a press conference.

Bryan, looking back on your career journey and having reached this stage today, with the opportunity to represent the team in the Champions League tomorrow night, what does that mean to you?

Obviously, this is a very important big step forward for me. From playing in France's second division back then to now arriving at a great club like Manchester United, it means an enormous amount to me. I am really looking forward to tomorrow night's match.

Bryan, regarding your move, last summer you could have chosen to join other clubs that could play directly in the Champions League, but you chose what could be described as a 'leap of faith' by joining Manchester United. Now that you are standing on this stage, does it count as a form of proof and reward for you?

Yes, in my mind, what I valued was the team and the players here. I knew that I could build very good chemistry with my teammates here. Also, before I joined, I received messages from some of the players here, and that made me very certain that coming here was the right choice for me.

Bryan, when the Champions League draw was revealed, did you feel as excited as the fans? Did you look at the opponents and think, 'I want to play in that stadium, I want to face that club'?

Yes, I think this was the first time I watched the Champions League draw as a participating player, and it really felt very unique. I think every match is unique, and every country and every team is different. Being able to go to different places and encounter different opponents is always a great experience.

Bryan, during this summer you often played through the middle, while so far this season you have mainly played as a right winger and have scored two goals in the last two matches. For this team, in which position do you think you are the biggest threat? (At this point, another reporter interjected: You told me that you prefer playing on the left)?

(Laughs) Obviously, I have become used to playing in several different positions across the forward line. Even in the first season of my career, I played on the right, on the left and through the middle. So obviously I have my own preferences, or rather, there are several key positions on the pitch that I am particularly good at. But whether I play through the middle or out wide does not really make much difference to me. As long as I can get on the pitch and contribute to the team, I will be very happy.