WHO REPLACES BRYAN MBEUMO: CUNHA, MOUNT MUST FILL 6-GOAL VOID AFTER AFCON EXIT
Manchester United faces a lineup headache with Mbeumo, Amad, and Mazraoui leaving for AFCON. Amorim's plan involves Yoro returning and banking on a fit Martinez and Sesko.
Manchester United got back on track Monday night, crushing Wolves 4-1 at Molineux. It was a pretty easy game for United; Bryan Mbeumo, Bruno Fernandes with two goals, and Mason Mount all scored. Amad and Noussair Mazraoui also played, but their upcoming absence could be a problem as the holidays get closer.
Crystal Palace 1-2 Manchester United: Ruben Amorim press conference
Mbeumo, Amad, and Mazraoui are all heading to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) this month. When they're leaving, exactly is still up in the air. After the Wolves game, Ruben Amorim sounded hopeful they might be around for next Monday's game against Bournemouth. He mentioned the club is talking to the national teams and expects to know more mid-week, viewing the ongoing communication as a positive sign.
Mazraoui's Morocco starts their tournament on Sunday, December 21, the same day United plays Aston Villa in the Premier League. Mbeumo's Cameroon and Amad's Ivory Coast both start their AFCON run a bit later, on Christmas Eve.
Amorim hinted that we should know when they're leaving this week, but the team needs to plan for how they'll play without them right away. With that in mind, here's a look at how United might set up without their African players in the coming weeks...
First, look at the defence. Mazraoui has been starting over Leny Yoro recently. The Frenchman was the main centre-back pick for a while, but after some tough games against Everton and Crystal Palace, he was dropped.
Yoro has been coming off the bench, so he'll likely be back in the starting lineup with Mazraoui gone. When he's healthy, Matthijs de Ligt would usually be in the mix, but Amorim isn't sure when he'll be back. Ayden Heaven is another option, but Lisandro Martinez—a key player before he got hurt—is getting close to being fully fit and could be back in the side.
Next, there’s the right wing-back spot, which Amad currently has. He's been a standout player there this season, fitting into the role really well.
Diogo Dalot has been improving, so the obvious move would be to put him back on the right, his preferred side, and bring Patrick Dorgu back on the left.
Dalot and Dorgu have been sharing time on the left, but Dalot should look more comfortable on the right without Amad. The biggest absence will probably be Mbeumo.
He scored again on Monday and is United's top scorer with six Premier League goals, putting him amongst the top scorers in the league.
Matheus Cunha is back from injury, which is good news! He can play in the No. 10 role with Mason Mount, who's been playing his best soccer since he moved from Chelsea.
That would leave either Joshua Zirkzee or Benjamin Sesko, the usual No. 9, up front, once he's fit. Amorim said last month that Sesko's return would be around the same time as when players leave for AFCON. His agent says he'll be back very soon, but we don't know if the Slovenian will be ready for the first game without the other three. After that, though, he should be leading the attack.
Here's a possible Man Utd starting lineup without the AFCON trio: Lammens; Yoro, Martinez, Shaw; Dalot, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dorgu; Mount, Cunha; Sesko
WHY MARCUS RASHFORD IS OFFICIALLY SNUBBING MICHAEL CARRICK’S MANCHESTER UNITED SOS RETURN PLEA
Marcus Rashford has no interest in a Manchester United return. Discover why he’s choosing a permanent £26m move to Barcelona instead.
Marcus Rashford isn’t looking back at Manchester United. After his loan to Barcelona, he’s made it pretty clear he wants to stay in Spain for good.
He landed at Barca last summer, a move that made sense after things soured for him at Old Trafford. Hansi Flick brought him in on a season-long loan, with a deal in place to buy him for €30 million (£26 million). Rashford wasted no time showing his worth—22 goal contributions in 32 games. He’s settled in fast, and the fans have noticed.
Earlier on, it sounded like Barcelona might try to haggle over the fee, maybe push for another loan or a cheaper deal. But now, according to Marca, that’s off the table. The club’s ready to pay what they agreed and make Rashford’s move permanent. Rashford wants it too. Everyone seems to be on the same page.
The Mirror reports Rashford has zero interest in heading back to Manchester. He wants his future sorted before England sets off for the 2026 World Cup in North America. No surprise there—he’s not looking to drag things out.
England’s first match is June 17 against Croatia, just two weeks after Barcelona’s season wraps up. Some talk suggested Michael Carrick, if he gets the United job permanently, could try to lure Rashford back. But honestly, Rashford’s mind is made up. He wants Spain, and that’s that.
Even if the Barcelona deal somehow falls through, Rashford would rather move elsewhere than wear United’s shirt again. If everything goes as planned, his transfer will be United’s first big move this summer.
He’s not the only one heading out. Casemiro’s already confirmed he’s leaving, and a few others might follow. United have juggled rumours about guys like Manuel Ugarte, Joshua Zirkzee, and Kobbie Mainoo, especially back in January. After Ruben Amorim left, Mainoo actually found himself in a stronger spot at United and has started every match since Carrick came back. Lately, there’s been a real push to get him into the England squad.
Meanwhile, United are fighting for a Champions League spot. If they make the top five, they’ll have more cash to play with this summer. Last year, they spent over £200 million beefing up the squad, even without European football.
If Rashford, Ugarte, and Zirkzee all leave, United will have even more flexibility to reshape the team. Top priorities? A central midfielder, a centre-forward, and a left winger before the 2026/27 season kicks off. This summer’s shaping up to be busy at Old Trafford.
COLE PALMER "OPEN" TO MANCHESTER UNITED SWITCH AMID HOMESICK RUMORS
Cole Palmer is reportedly open to a summer move to boyhood club Manchester United as claims of homesickness emerge at Chelsea.
Cole Palmer just can’t seem to escape transfer talk. Now, it’s Manchester United in the headlines, with rumours swirling that he’s homesick after spending two and a half years at Chelsea.
Apparently, Palmer wouldn’t mind a big summer move to United—his boyhood club—especially with fresh claims that he’s not exactly settled in London. He joined Chelsea from Manchester City in a £42.5 million deal and quickly became one of their main attacking threats. But now, the England international’s name keeps popping up in connection to a return up north.
The Sun says Palmer would be open if United came calling, since he grew up supporting them. But don’t expect him to head back to City while Pep Guardiola’s still the boss. That door’s basically closed.
It’s worth noting that Jason Wilcox, United’s director of football, knows Palmer well from his time at City’s academy. Wilcox is a big fan—hard not to be, after Palmer racked up 15 goals and eight assists in the Premier League last season.
Despite signing a new deal with Chelsea last year that runs until 2033, Palmer reportedly misses his hometown of Wythenshawe.
Injuries have made this season tough for him. He’s only managed 13 appearances in the 2025-26 campaign, and he missed Chelsea’s 3-1 win over Crystal Palace on Sunday because of a thigh problem. Liam Rosenior, Chelsea’s new head coach, confirmed that before the match.
Rosenior’s already tried to put a lid on the transfer rumours, especially the talk about Palmer being homesick. “I’ve spoken to Cole plenty of times, and he seems really happy here,” Rosenior said last week. “He’s a huge part of our long-term plans.
“My job—and the club’s—is to help him consistently play at his best. He was frustrated after the Brentford game, for sure. We need to take care of him, and that’s why I kept him out of the last match.”