Wayne Rooney now believes that Bryan Mbeumo “belongs” at Manchester United, after initially having doubts about the forward.

Mbeumo joined from Brentford during the summer for a reported £70m, as part of a revamp of United’s attacking department that also saw the arrivals of Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko.

Following his brace in the Red Devils’ 4-2 victory against Brighton on Saturday, Mbeumo has now scored four goals and provided one assist in nine Premier League games this season.

The Cameroon international also found the net in a headline victory over Liverpool, while he both scored and missed a penalty in United's EFL Cup shoot-out defeat to Grimsby Town in August.

Despite initially having reservations about Mbeumo, Rooney is now confident in the 26-year-old’s abilities at Old Trafford, labelling him as United’s best signing this summer.

“He has had some really good chances in games as well – he just hasn't always taken them. But I think his energy, his work rate, his desire... that's what you need to be a Man Utd player,” Rooney said on The Wayne Rooney show.

“I did say I was a little bit unsure, but I think what he's shown is that he belongs there. Obviously, Cunha's come in, it's great to see him get his goal, but Mbeumo has been consistent with his performances and that's the main thing.

“If you're consistently getting into the right positions and getting chances, you'll score. What was it, 20 goals last season he scored for Brentford? And now he's started well again.

“When you're a forward, you enjoy scoring goals, and that feeling keeps going. That's why you see players go on streaks – scoring 10, 11 goals on the bounce – and then sometimes they might go a few games without one.

“His confidence is very high at the minute, and hopefully that continues, because he's certainly been the best signing for Man Utd this season.”