Head coach Ruben Amorim says Manchester United will attempt to delay the departures of Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui to the Africa Cup of Nations. The Portuguese is keen to keep hold of the trio for as long as possible as the Red Devils prepare for a hectic festive schedule which will see them play six Premier League games in December.
Mbeumo, Amad and Mazraoui set for Africa Cup of Nations
United forwards Mbeumo and Amad and defender Mazraoui are all expected to play for their respective countries at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which gets under way on Sunday, 21 December.
Fit-again Mazraoui is in line to feature for tournament hosts Morocco against Comoros on the opening day, while Mbeumo and Amad are slated to be involved when Cameroon and Ivory Coast play their first matches on 24 December respectively.
AdvertisementAFPUnited will try to retain trio until at least after Bournemouth clash
However, United boss Amorim has confirmed the club are planning to talk to all three federations as he looks to boost his options ahead of a busy festive period. With the AFCON final taking place on Sunday, 18 January, there is a possibility that Mbeumo, Amad and Mazraoui could miss eight league games and an FA Cup third-round tie.
Due to tournament regulations, United should release Mbeumo, Amad and Mazraoui two weeks before the respective first games of Cameroon, Ivory Coast and Morocco. In that scenario, the Old Trafford club would see the three players depart near their league fixture against struggling Wolves at Molineux on Monday, 8 December.
But according to United are seeking to push that back until at least after their home game against Bournemouth on Monday, 15 December. Amorim’s side also travel to Aston Villa on Sunday, 21 December, before hosting Newcastle and Wolves on Friday, 26 December and Tuesday, 30 December respectively. United kick start December with a home game against West Ham on the fourth.
Amorim confirms United will speak to Cameroon, Ivory Coast & Morocco
Speaking ahead of United’s home clash with Everton on Monday evening, Amorim said: “We have the rules for when we have to release the players [but] we are trying to have the players a bit longer.
“It is not just in our hands. We will see. We will try to arrange something with the federations.”
United were successful in keeping hold of goalkeeper Andre Onana until the day before Cameroon's first game in the competition two years ago. The shot-stopper subsequently missed just one match – the 4-2 FA Cup victory over Newport County on 28 January 2024.
In-form forward Mbeumo has been key to Red Devils' upturn in form
United’s fixture with Everton is their first game back following the conclusion of the international break. Amorim’s men were in fine form before the recent run of World Cup qualifiers, putting together a five-game unbeaten league streak which saw them rise to seventh in the Premier League table.
Mbeumo has been key to United’s upturn in form, scoring four goals across fixtures against Liverpool, Brighton and Tottenham, while team-mate Amad also netted in the 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest on 1 November.
