As Ruben Amorim prepares for the loss of a host of his first-team stars ahead of the 35th Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Manchester United fanbase is apprehensive ahead of the festive agenda.
Bryan Mbeumo, Amad, and Noussair Mazraoui will compete for honours in Morocco, with action getting underway on Sunday, December 21.
However, due to scheduling, Amorim has had to prepare for a Monday evening clash with Bournemouth alongside a mandatory release date that coincides with the Premier League fixture.
Although club officials held talks with the federations of Cameroon, Ivory Coast, and Morocco, United opted to keep availability under wraps, adding to the growing anxiety on social media.
Regardless of whether the trio lines out, the 20-time English champions are set for a period without the players and an unquestionably altered attacking composition.
Still, several others will get an opportunity to cement their status as starters, with Mason Mount in contention to continue his hugely impressive form during a crucial stage of the campaign.
Manchester United have been preparing for an AFCON dilemma
Say what you will about optimism and looking at a glass as half full, but any Premier League attack would feel the loss of Mbeumo and Amad. That goes without saying.
Nonetheless, despite the issues this group has encountered during a hideous 12-month transition, ample quality and creativity will remain in the North West throughout AFCON.
Benjamin Sesko is on the cusp of a return to selection, while Matheus Cunha can make his next leap in Red following a couple of unfortunate setbacks.
Not forgetting Joshua Zirkzee, who, ignoring his critics, will provide a quality option in the final third throughout December and January.
As always, Bruno Fernandes will continue to pull the strings, with a plethora of goals, assists and playmaking cementing the Portuguese at the top of European football.
And Mount continues to shine on and off the field, pressing with intensity, maintaining possession with shrewd technical ability, and chipping in with two quality goals in his previous three outings.
Given his growth as a veteran option within this squad, the 26-year-old could hold the key to success during a potentially challenging run of fixtures.
| Mason Mount | Premier League 2025-26 | Per 90 minutes | Percentile |
| SCA (Fouls drawn) | 0.46 | 99 |
| Passes into the final third | 5.10 | 97 |
| Switches | 0.62 | 97 |
| Goals | 0.46 | 96 |
| Through balls | 0.77 | 94 |
| Goals per shot | 0.21 | 93 |
| Goals per shot on target | 0.75 | 93 |
| Progressive passes | 5.57 | 89 |
| Ball recoveries | 4.48 | 72 |
For many, the wing-back options will supply the greatest concern for Ruben’s meticulous structure, with Amad somewhat irreplaceable in this team.
Although learning on the job, of sorts, the flamboyant attacker offers an endless threat on the right flank, particularly during combination phases with his new partner in crime, Mbeumo.
Diogo Dalot, so often the scapegoat for defensive blunders, has generated a renewed threat on the left flank and will likely replace his Ivorian teammate on the opposite wing.
One can only hope his recent good form is also transferable.
Naturally, with his spot vacated, Patrick Dorgu will have an opportunity to reclaim his place in the starting XI.
The 21-year-old impressed throughout the early stages of the season, but has struggled to kick on, often appearing nervous in possession, as Amorim was quick to point out.
“When I see them training, they are doing so much better than in games,” the former Sporting chief stated ahead of November’s win at Selhurst Park.
“Then Patrick, when I see him playing for the national team, he’s scored a great goal against Scotland, the decision that he made under pressure was completely different to the decisions he’s making in our team.
“You can feel the anxiety every time Patrick touches the ball. I can feel it, the anxiety.”
Potential lineup vs Bournemouth
Although the Danish international lost his starting place following September’s defeat against Brentford, he remains a regular feature with 15 appearances across all competitions, and is expected to add to that on Monday.
Additionally, Luke Shaw remains another option on the left, having cultivated a career as one of England’s finest attacking full-backs.
The 30-year-old has started every Premier League game this campaign, but has done so as a left-sided central defender.
While injuries and age may dictate his capabilities on the flank, his experience is an additional string in Amorim’s defensive bow – particularly with the return of World Cup winner Lisandro Martinez.
As is always the case, a collection of piranhas wait patiently for the first sign of struggles at Old Trafford, with many praying the Reds will drop points against Andoni Iraola’s side.
But, despite this group not yet humming like a well-oiled engine, a solitary defeat from the previous nine represents growth, and that is all a genuine supporter can ask for.
A third victory in a little over two weeks would lift Rubens’ Reds into the European positions, outside Champions League football on goal difference only.
Momentum is a funny thing in football, and despite the frustrations AFCON provides, there is a real opportunity for this squad to make a statement in December.
How do you feel about United’s chances during the festive period? Let us know in the comments or across our social channels.
Photo by operations@newsimages.co.uk via depositphotos.com. Lineup via chosen11.
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