Manchester United top goalscorer Bryan Mbeumo could miss up to eight Premier League games due to AFCON – two more than what had initially been thought.
Bryan Mbeumo Could Miss EIGHT Manchester United Games Due To AFCON
Ruben Amorim has confirmed that Manchester United forward Bryan Mbeumo will likely have to leave for AFCON two weeks before the tournament gets underway in Morocco.
Mbeumo, who is United’s top goalscorer with six goals across all competitions this term, is due to link up with Cameroon to battle it out for Africa’s biggest prize over the coming weeks.
Fellow first-team stars Noussair Mazroui and Amad will also take part, with the former representing hosts Morocco and the latter representing the reigning champions, Ivory Coast.
The event gets underway on Sunday, December 21, and it had initially been thought that United would be able to keep hold of their players until after their home clash against Bournemouth on December 15. However, Amorim no longer seems confident that this is the case.
He confirmed the news in his press conference ahead of the Red Devils’ clash against Everton but reiterated that the club are still trying to find a solution with national federations.
“We have the rules when we will have to release the players,” Amorim told the media.
“We are trying to have the players a bit longer but we will see. I think it is two weeks before the start. We will try to arrange something with the federations.
“We already knew [about AFCON] so it is a chance for other players. It is not ideal, they are so important in our squad.”
The timing is particularly frustrating for United and their supporters, as they have just turned a corner in the context of their season.
Having won just two of their opening seven in all competitions, they are now unbeaten in five straight matches, winning three and drawing two.
It comes as a major blow to Amorim and his squad, but should the club be active in sealing signings early on in the winter window, their absences may not be felt quite as sorely.
United are currently favoured in the Karim Adeyemi next club betting odds market. They have been tipped to move for the Dortmund star off the back of a public spat with his manager.
However, a SportsCasting study suggests Manchester United fans shouldn’t expect a big January spend. The club have averaged a spend of just £15m across the last 10 winter windows.
This could spell another underwhelming period ahead for supporters of the Old Trafford club.
Games Mbeumo Could Miss Due To AFCON
If Mbeumo and Cameroon make it all the way to the final, he is set to miss eight games.
The same applies for Mazraoui and Morocco, as well as Amad and the Ivory Coast.
Here are all eight of the Premier League fixtures the trio may potentially miss:
- Wolves (A) – Monday, December 8
- Bournemouth (H) – Monday, December 15
- Aston Villa (A) – Sunday, December 21
- Newcastle (H) – Friday, December 26
- Wolves (H) – Tuesday, December 30
- Leeds (A) – Sunday, January 4
- Burnley (A) – Wednesday, January 7
- Manchester City (H) – Saturday, January 17
