Manchester United are sweating over the prospect of losing three of Ruben Amorim’s most trusted lieutenants over the hectic festive period.
That’s because Amad Diallo, Bryan Mbeumo and Noussair Mazraoui are all preparing to represent their countries in the forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
Amorim will have to make do without Amad, Mbeumo and Mazraoui
Cameroon (Mbeumo), the Ivory Coast (Amad) and hosts Morocco (Mazraoui) aren’t in action until Christmas Eve and December 21, respectively. However, clubs are expected to release their internationals a fortnight before their campaign openers.
As a result, United are going to try their luck in facilitating some kind of deal to keep hold of the trio slightly longer – as they did with Andre Onana last year.
MailSport claims that, in the aftermath of Monday’s defeat to Everton, the Red Devils started to ‘accelerate discussions’ with the involved national teams to ‘explore ways’ they can retain the Reds for their trip to Molineux to face rock-bottom Wolverhampton Wanderers on December 8.
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It’s thought they could be absent for as many as eight Premier League games, as well as United’s first FA Cup outing of 2025/2026.
Mbeumo will be a huge miss for United
Of the players, it’s relatively safe to say that Mbeumo’s departure would be the most impactful.
| Games | Goals | Assists |
| 13 | 6 | 1 |
*Mbeumo’s record in all competitions since signing for United (Transfermarkt)
He has been United’s most influential attacker since the season began and, despite ultimately failing to find the back of the net against the Toffees two nights ago, he came the closest to finding or creating a leveller.
While AFCON is ongoing, Amorim’s side will face the likes of Bournemouth, who’ve claimed successive 3-0 wins at Old Trafford in the last two campaigns, Aston Villa and Newcastle United, before locking horns with Wolves once again in the reverse fixture in M16.
A good manager is one who changes with changing situations, not the one every situation changes. AMOURIM is not good. He win matches by the strokes of luck. Hardly had a convincing victory. Stubborn to admit his deficiencies. Sticking to one formation for ever match is like showing your opponent the easy way to cage you.
Football like mathematics has one answer but with several formulas. One particular formula can never solve every question.
Ferguson used formations accordingly and as the occasion demands.
AMOURIM uses one formation for every occasion.
Everton won with a man down at Old Trafford, AMOURIM would use such as an excuse for been battered.
He will use the absence of man UTD African players for excuses, but arsenal won their match comfortable without their main talisman in Gykores and co.
Now, AMOURIM is using Sesko, a player he had not shown any confidence on as an excuse for losing.
WHAT A SHAME
Ferguson created a team with players who had brains, excepting Rooney, and they understood football. Today’s players seem like lost children with no idea what to do unless they are told, all too afraid to make a mistake and ruin their data!! LOL