Manchester, England – A sense of déjà vu washed over Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank as he watched Bryan Mbeumo, a player he once hoped to bring to North London, score against his team in a 2-0 defeat to Manchester United. Frank, who moved to Spurs from Brentford last summer, openly rued what might have been, acknowledging Mbeumo's pivotal role in the Red Devils' victory.

The match, played at Old Trafford, saw United continue their impressive run under Michael Carrick, while Tottenham, despite flashes of brilliance, struggled to overcome the deficit, further compounded by a red card issued to Cristian Romero. Mbeumo's opener, a clinical finish after a swift counter-attack, was followed by a Bruno Fernandes goal, sealing the win for the home side.

"He's done so much for me," Mbeumo said in June 2025, praising Frank and noting Frank's role in his development while at Brentford. Mbeumo highlighted the trust and development he experienced under Frank's leadership, both as a player and a person.

Frank's move to Tottenham came after a successful stint at Brentford, where he transformed the Bees into a competitive Premier League team. Tottenham dismissed Ange Postecoglou after an end-of-season review. Spurs then paid £10 million to release Frank from his Brentford contract. However, despite their close relationship at Brentford, Frank did not pursue Mbeumo's signature when he took over at Tottenham. Manchester United then acquired Mbeumo.

The game wasn't without its talking points beyond Mbeumo's goal. Romero's red card, a moment of rashness, further complicated matters for Tottenham, who were already struggling to break down United's defense. The dismissal means Romero will miss the upcoming North London derby against Arsenal, adding to Frank's woes.

Speaking after the match, Frank admitted his disappointment but also acknowledged United's quality and Carrick's tactical nous. He pointed to missed opportunities and the need for greater consistency within his Tottenham side. "We had our moments, but against a team like United, you have to take your chances," Frank said. "The red card obviously changed things, but even before that, we weren't quite at our best."

Despite the defeat, Frank remained optimistic about the future, emphasizing the need for his team to learn from their mistakes and bounce back stronger. He also reiterated his belief in the Tottenham squad and their potential to compete at the highest level. However, the sting of Mbeumo's goal, a reminder of a player he admired and perhaps could have signed, lingered in the air. The Tottenham manager was left to ponder what might have been if the stars had aligned differently.