Man Utd Seek AFCON Delay as Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo Face Key Festive Absences
Manchester United’s manager, Ruben Amorim, has indicated that the club intends to negotiate with the respective national teams to postpone the release of Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo, and Noussair Mazraoui for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations.
The Portuguese coach is eager to retain the services of these three players for as long as feasible, given the Red Devils’ demanding schedule during the holiday period. Manchester United are set to participate in six Premier League matches throughout December.
Mbeumo and Amad, who bolster United’s attacking options, along with defender Mazraoui, are all anticipated to represent their nations at the Africa Cup of Nations, which is scheduled to commence on Sunday, December 21st.
Mazraoui, who has recovered from a recent injury, is poised to play a role for the host nation, Morocco, in their tournament opener against Comoros on the first day of competition.
Meanwhile, Mbeumo and Amad are expected to be involved when Cameroon and Ivory Coast, respectively, play their initial games on December 24th.
Manchester United manager Amorim has acknowledged that the club is actively engaging in discussions with the national football governing bodies of Cameroon, Ivory Coast, and Morocco.
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This outreach is driven by a desire to maximize player availability during the congested winter schedule. The upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), culminating in the final on January 18th, poses a significant challenge.
Key United players Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo, and Noussair Mazraoui could potentially be absent for as many as eight Premier League matches, in addition to a third-round FA Cup encounter.
Regulations stipulate that United must release Mbeumo, Amad, and Mazraoui a fortnight prior to their national teams’ opening matches in the tournament.
This would mean the players departing shortly before United’s away match against Wolverhampton Wanderers on December 8th.
However, reports from the BBC indicate that United are endeavoring to negotiate a delayed release, aiming to retain the players until after their home game against Bournemouth on December 15th.
Following the Bournemouth match, United also face a trip to Aston Villa on December 21st, followed by home clashes against Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers on December 26th and 30th respectively.
United’s December schedule begins with a home match against West Ham on December 4th. The club hopes to negotiate a compromise to mitigate the impact of the players’ absence on these crucial fixtures.
In anticipation of Manchester United’s upcoming home match against Everton on Monday, Sporting Lisbon’s manager, Amorim, indicated that discussions are underway regarding the release of players for international duty.
He explained, “We are bound by regulations stipulating when we must allow players to join their national teams. However, we are making efforts to retain our players for a slightly extended period.”
Amorim stressed that the final decision isn’t solely up to the club, adding, “The matter is not entirely within our control.
We’ll have to wait and see what transpires. We’re exploring the possibility of reaching an agreement with the respective national federations.”
Manchester United has precedent for this, having previously managed to keep hold of goalkeeper Andre Onana until the day preceding Cameroon’s initial fixture in the Africa Cup of Nations two years prior.
As a result of this negotiated arrangement, the goalkeeper ultimately sat out only a single game for United, the FA Cup triumph over Newport County on January 28, 2024, which concluded with a 4-2 score line.
After the international break, United resumes their campaign with a match against Everton.
Prior to the recent World Cup qualifying matches, Amorim’s squad displayed excellent form, enjoying a five-game undefeated run in the league that propelled them to seventh place in the standings.
Mbeumo’s Impressive Form Has Clearly Been Key to the Red Devils Getting Back on Track
Man united recent improved performance can be largely attributed to Mbeumo, who has been instrumental in their attack, finding the back of the net four times in matches against high-profile opponents such as Liverpool, Brighton, and Tottenham.
Fellow teammate Amad also contributed to their success with a goal in the 2-2 stalemate against Nottingham Forest on November 1st.
Looking ahead to Everton’s upcoming match at Old Trafford, manager Amorim has urged his squad to be fully energized and intensely focused, anticipating a challenging encounter against David Moyes’ team.
During his pre-game media briefing, Amorim expressed confidence in his players’ readiness, stating, “Everyone is in good condition and prepared to participate. Now it’s crucial that we shift our mental focus.
We need to put aside our national team commitments and concentrate on our domestic league campaign, understanding that we must start with maximum intensity and effort right from the opening whistle to be prepared for the match.
“We had a training session today and analysed our previous game to move forward. Now our focus is on getting ready for the Everton game, which we know will present a difficult test.”
Following a question about the uplifting environment at United’s training facility, Carrington, due to their strong recent performance, Amorim elaborated.
He emphasized that this positive mood is a direct consequence of securing victories, so they must dedicate themselves to continuing that winning streak.
He acknowledged the intense support they anticipate at Old Trafford, where the fans simply want to see effort, determination, and quality football, which they will strive to deliver.
He further explained that the most encouraging aspect of their improved form is the renewed desire to play at home. In the past, playing at home had become challenging.
However, the fact that they now yearn for home games is a positive sign that the club should cherish. He expressed genuine enthusiasm about returning to play in front of their own fans, a feeling shared by the players.
He concluded by stating the importance of maintaining their winning record on home turf.
