Everton defender Takwoski reveals the ONE Man United player that really gave Him tough time
James Tarkowski has spent years facing the Premier League’s most terrifying attackers, and he’s never been the type to flinch. He’s marked tricky wingers like Saka, dealt with Salah’s lethal left foot, and wrestled with Haaland’s raw power — yet none of those battles prepared him for what he experienced against Manchester United this weekend.
After United’s clash with Everton, the usually composed centre-back admitted something he has never publicly said before: one United player pushed him to his absolute limit, both mentally and physically. And the name he mentioned wasn’t the superstar many fans would expect.
According to Tarkowski, the player who gave him one of the most draining matches of his season was Bryan Mbeumo — United’s new forward who treated every second of the match like a personal mission.
From kickoff, Mbeumo attacked the game with a level of intensity that shattered any hope of comfort Everton’s defence might have had. He wasn’t interested in flashy skill or delicate touches. His entire approach was built on relentless aggression — the kind that forces defenders into places they don’t want to be.
Tarkowski revealed that he never had a moment to relax. Mbeumo hounded him from start to finish, snapping at his heels, chasing every ball, and turning even routine clearances into high-pressure situations. Even when the play shifted to the opposite wing, Tarkowski said he could feel Mbeumo lurking, waiting to pounce the moment he let his guard down.
He confessed that he’s faced elite attackers before, but none matched the “dangerously intense” energy Mbeumo brought for the full 90 minutes. There were no pauses, no moments to reset — just constant pressure.
Mbeumo’s style isn’t about elegance; it’s about chaos. He forces defenders into mistakes by refusing to switch off, and that was exactly what United have lacked for months. His hunger, his willingness to chase everything, and his refusal to let defenders breathe gave United a new dimension — something their attack has been crying out for.
For Tarkowski to openly admit that Mbeumo handed him one of his toughest challenges of the season says plenty. If a seasoned, physical defender like him struggled, then the rest of the league will need to prepare themselves quickly.
Mbeumo isn’t easing his way into the Premier League spotlight — he’s kicking the door open with raw energy and determination. And after this performance, defenders will think twice before relaxing when he’s anywhere near them.
This wasn’t luck or a one-off moment. It was the arrival of a forward who plays with fury, intent, and an engine that refuses to shut down. Tarkowski’s confession simply confirms what everyone else is starting to notice: Manchester United may have found a new problem for defenders, and he’s only just getting started.
