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TACTICAL MYSTERY: AMORIM DELAYS AFCON DECISION TO CONFUSE BOURNEMOUTH PREPARATION
Manchester United is keeping opponents guessing about the availability of AFCON-bound trio Mazraoui, Amad, and Mbeumo for a tactical edge over Bournemouth.
Manchester United wants to keep everyone guessing about whether Noussair Mazraoui, Amad, and Bryan Mbeumo will be available for Monday’s Premier League game against Bournemouth. These three are supposed to leave for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) early next week.
FIFA said clubs had to release players for the tournament by Monday, December 15. The tournament kicks off on Saturday, December 21. But this messes things up for United because they play Bournemouth on Monday night.
United officials talked to the soccer federations of Morocco, Ivory Coast, and Cameroon, hoping to keep these three players a bit longer. They want them to play against Bournemouth before heading off to AFCON, which is in Morocco.
On Friday, coach Ruben Amorim said he wasn't sure if the three could play and seemed annoyed, with the game only three days away.
We're still talking with the national teams. The games are on Monday, the guys are training, and we're trying to get ready for anything, Amorim said.
It's annoying, but no one knows who will play, which could be good. We have enough players to deal with it. With a whole week, you can work on different things to prepare.
Amorim hinted on Friday that United might try to use this to their benefit, saying, "Every national team has their own ideas about when they want the players." I think we'll have a decision today [Friday] or maybe tomorrow [Saturday], but we’re waiting until the last minute to pick the best team.”
Now, United plans to keep the decision a secret, so Bournemouth won't know if they'll face Mazraoui, Amad, or Mbeumo, all of whom have started the last two games.
They have one last training session on Sunday to get ready for Andoni Iraola's team, who haven't been doing great recently. They haven't won in six games and are down to 14th in the league, but they did win their last two games at Old Trafford 3-0.
Mazraoui's Morocco starts their tournament next Saturday against Comoros, which might make his situation the most urgent. Amad's Ivory Coast and Mbeumo's Cameroon don't play until Christmas Eve.
'NO PROBLEM MY BOYS': BRYAN MBEUMO GOOFS OFF AMIDST UNITED'S AFCON UNCERTAINTY
Manchester United faces a last-minute lineup decision as national teams clash with the Premier League schedule. Find out which key players might miss the Bournemouth game.
Manchester United's Bryan Mbeumo seems cool with the confusion around when he needs to leave for the Africa Cup of Nations. He's one of three United players, along with Amad and Noussair Mazraoui, heading off to play for their countries.
FIFA wants players with their national teams by December 15. But that's the same day United plays Bournemouth at home in the Premier League. It's not clear if Mbeumo, Amad, and Mazraoui will play in the Monday game before they go. Even Ruben Amorim said he doesn't know what's happening.
But Mbeumo and Amad don't seem stressed.
On Friday, Mbeumo posted a funny picture on his Instagram story that Amad took. It showed him and Leny Yoro, with Amad making a silly face.
Mbeumo tagged his teammates and wrote, "No problem, my boys," with a sunglasses emoji.
He then shared another photo, this time taken by Yoro, with Amad again goofing around in the background.
While Mbeumo and Amad will be at the tournament, Yoro is staying with United to support the team.
Amorim said in a press conference Friday that he still wasn't sure if Mbeumo, Amad, and Mazraoui would be available for the Bournemouth game.
He said they're waiting to decide on the best team to start the game. And he expects to have an answer soon.
He added that every national team has their own ideas about when they want the players, and it depends on the games.
He admitted it's a bit annoying but also said it's good in a way because no one knows who will play.
Also, the team has players to deal with anything, and a week is enough time to plan for any situation.
Since joining in the summer, Mbeumo has become a key player for Amorim. He's played in every Premier League game this season and scored six goals.
Amad is in a similar situation, often starting at right-wing-back. Mazraoui hasn't quite locked down a spot, but he has started in the last two games as part of the back three.
BRYAN MBEUMO & AMAD DIALLOOUT: MAN UTD FACES CRISIS, EYES £65M ANTOINE SEMENYO SOLUTION
Man Utd loses Mbeumo and Amad for up to seven games, including the Manchester Derby. The urgent solution? Act fast on Antoine Semenyo's short-lived £65M release clause.
Manchester United has been on a great run lately, with only one loss in their last nine games across all competitions in 2025/26.
One of their players has scored six goals and made one assist in the Premier League, making him the team's top scorer so far.
The other player has one goal and two assists, often giving the team a creative edge on the right wing from his wing-back position.
The manager won't be able to count on either of them for the next few weeks, as both are heading off to play for their countries in the African Cup of Nations.
The African Cup of Nations always messes with clubs' plans, and United is about to feel that pain.
The tournament runs from December 21st to January 18th. If both their countries make it to the final, Mbeumo and Amad could miss up to seven games.
The manager said he's not sure if either player will be ready for the Bournemouth game on Monday, which could bring the total to eight games missed.
During the tournament, United has six Premier League matches and a FA Cup match against Brighton.
The biggest game they’ll miss is against Manchester City on January 17th. However, they could be back if their teams are knocked out early.
The group stage ends on December 31st, meaning they’ll definitely miss games against Aston Villa, Newcastle United, and Wolves.
If all goes well, they could be back for the Leeds United game on January 4th.
So, who can fill their shoes?
So far in the 2025/26 season, Amad and Mbeumo have often played together on the right, forming a great partnership.
Their 10 goals and assists make up 38% of the team's total, showing how big a problem it is to replace them.
Players like Mason Mount, Kobbie Mainoo, and Joshua Zirkzee will be eager to step up, but the manager might decide to look outside the club.
Even before the transfer window opens, United has been linked to several players, including Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo.
The Ghanaian player has been doing really well in the league, with six goals and three assists in his first 14 games.
He won't be at the African Cup of Nations, giving United a good chance to try and sign him.
Word is, he has a £65m release clause that kicks in on January 1st, but it only lasts for ten days.
United should jump at this opportunity. Some people are calling him the best winger in the country, and he has what it takes to make up for the loss at Old Trafford.
He's already averaging 1.4 shots on target per 90 minutes, putting him in the top 4% of players in the league. He offers the kind of goal threat they’ll miss from Mbeumo.
He can also play as a number ten or wing-back if needed, which could be really useful these next few weeks.
He’s becoming one of the most wanted players in the league, so the club needs to act fast to get the manager the players he needs to deal with the African Cup of Nations absences.
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