Amad and Bryan Mbeumo will be available for Manchester United’s upcoming match against Bournemouth, despite the game coinciding with the deadline for players to report to their national teams ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The deadline for player release has been moved from December 8 to December 15, allowing these players to participate in one additional week of domestic fixtures.
Agreements have been established with both the Ivory Coast and Cameroon to allow Amad and Mbeumo to travel to their respective national teams following Monday’s Premier League match. AFCON does not commence for these teams until December 24, with Ivory Coast slated to face Mozambique and Cameroon set to compete against Gabon.
In contrast, the availability of defender Noussair Mazraoui remains in question as Morocco is set to play the tournament’s opening match against Comoros on Sunday. After Manchester United’s decisive 4-1 victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers, manager Ruben Amorim confirmed that the club is actively communicating with the national football federations regarding the player statuses. He noted, “The club is talking with the national teams… that is a good sign.”
Additionally, reports indicate a potential tactical shift for United that may occur in light of the absences of Mbeumo, Amad, and Mazraoui. These players have been pivotal to Amorim’s tactics, often featuring on the right side of the formation.
Mbeumo, who excelled in the recent match against Wolves by contributing his seventh goal of the season, and Amad, who has provided three assists this season, have both proven to be key players for the team. Mazraoui has also made significant contributions, starting in United’s last two fixtures.
AFCON is set to take place from December 21 to January 18, during which Manchester United has an intense fixture schedule, including matches against teams like Aston Villa, Newcastle United, Wolves, Leeds United, Burnley, and Manchester City.
Furthermore, Benjamin Sesko is pushing for a spot in the lineup against Bournemouth after overcoming a knee injury and a recent bout of food poisoning, which impacted his fitness. Meanwhile, Kobbie Mainoo’s future remains uncertain until after AFCON, as Napoli has reportedly shown serious interest in the player. Amorim expressed his eagerness to discuss Mainoo’s future and gain a deeper understanding of his players’ aspirations.
This upcoming period for Manchester United poses both challenges and opportunities, as they navigate their schedule while negotiating their players’ commitments to national teams, emphasizing the club’s focus on ensuring a successful season both domestically and internationally.