Man Utd: Ruben Amorim Seeks to Delay Afcon Departures of Key Players
Manchester United is working to delay the departures of key players Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo, and Noussair Mazraoui for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The club’s strategy aims to keep these players available until after their match against Bournemouth on December 15.
Potential Impact of AFCON on Manchester United
The regulations of the tournament require United to release players two weeks prior to the start of their respective national team matches. This timing could coincide with the team’s fixture against Wolves on December 8. The first matches for the players involved are:
- Morocco (Noussair Mazraoui) vs. Comoros on December 21
- Côte d’Ivoire (Amad Diallo) and Cameroon (Bryan Mbeumo) on December 24
The AFCON final is scheduled for January 18, which raises concerns for Manchester United. The team could face the possibility of missing up to eight Premier League games, along with an FA Cup third-round tie.
Ruben Amorim’s Strategy
Manager Ruben Amorim has emphasized the importance of discussing this situation with the national federations. He stated, “We have the rules for when we have to release the players, but we are trying to have the players a bit longer.”
Amorim previously succeeded in retaining goalkeeper Andre Onana until just before Cameroon’s first AFCON match two years ago, allowing him to miss only one game. The manager believes additional match time could be critical.
Key Player Recovery
In a related note, Amorim is hopeful about the return of Benjamin Sesko. The forward suffered a knee injury on November 8 against Tottenham. His recovery timeline aligns with the potential departures of Mbeumo and Diallo.
Amorim commented, “It’s not that serious, and we have to be careful with him.” If all three players were to leave, United would need to adapt their attacking options. Alternatives like Joshua Zirkzee and Kobbie Mainoo may have to step up, despite their limited playing time this season.
Manchester United’s efforts to manage player availability during the AFCON underline the complexities of balancing club and national responsibilities in competitive football. The discussions with player federations will be crucial in shaping the upcoming matches for United.
