Manchester United’s Amad and Bryan Mbeumo to Face Bournemouth Before AFCON

Manchester United’s Amad and Bryan Mbeumo are set to feature in the team’s upcoming match against Bournemouth, despite the game falling on the deadline day for players to report to their national teams for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

AFCON Deadline Extension Allows for Extra Fixtures

The player release deadline for AFCON was pushed back to December 15 from December 8, allowing some players to feature in an extra week of fixtures. This extension has given United a window of opportunity to field their key players before they depart for the tournament.

Agreement Reached with National Teams

An agreement has been reached with Ivory Coast and Cameroon to allow Amad and Mbeumo to travel after Monday’s Premier League game. Both teams do not begin their AFCON group stage campaigns until December 24, with Ivory Coast facing Mozambique and Cameroon playing Gabon.

Uncertainty Surrounds Noussair Mazraoui’s Availability

However, defender Noussair Mazraoui’s availability is uncertain, with hosts Morocco playing the tournament’s opening game against Comoros on Sunday. United’s manager, Ruben Amorim, has stated that the club is in discussions with the national team federations over their players’ situations.

Formation Change Speculation

With the scheduled absences of Mbeumo, Amad, and Mazraoui, speculation is rife that United may adopt a new formation. Amorim has hinted that a tactical shift away from his favoured 3-4-2-1 formation could be on the horizon.

Other Key Players’ Futures

Benjamin Sesko is pushing for inclusion against Bournemouth after recovering from a knee injury. However, his fitness has been impacted by food poisoning, and doctors will make a call on his availability. Kobbie Mainoo’s future is set to be resolved after AFCON, with Napoli retaining serious interest in the player.

Source: Link