Ruben Amorim raises concern with Manchester United facing Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo disruption | OneFootball

The Africa Cup of Nations will have a big impact on Manchester United later in the season

Ruben Amorim has acknowledged the disruption Manchester United are likely to face when the Africa Cup of Nations begins.

Man United have hit form over the past month, putting together a three-game winning run for the first time under the Portuguese tactician - despite his appointment a year ago to the day this weekend.

Key to the Red Devils’ improved results has been £71million summer signing Bryan Mbeumo as he followed up his goal in the win over Liverpool with a brace against Brighton at Old Trafford last time out.

However, Amorim has been dealt a huge blow as he is unlikely to be able to call upon the pair during a crucial period of the season.

This is because Cameroon and Ivory Coast have successfully qualified for AFCON which means Mbeumo and Amad - if selected - will be away at the tournament for potentially up to a month between December and January.

"We will have time to suffer. We are going to struggle a little bit, but we already knew it's going to be an opportunity,” Amorim said in the pre-Nottingham Forest press conference.

“When I watch the training, there are players that should be playing, but it's hard with one game to take some players from the team, because they are doing well also during the training in games.

“So other players are going to have the opportunity to help us.

"They are understanding the way we want to play, so if we are improving on that, the change of characteristics is not going to change the idea or the momentum of the team.

“But let's use Amad and Bryan in these games and we will see in general."

Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo have forged an impressive partnership for Manchester United

REUTERS

AFCON this year is being held in Morocco from December 21, 2025 to January 18, 2026.

Man Utd will have an FA Cup third round tie as well as Premier League fixtures against Aston Villa, Newcastle, Wolves, Leeds, Burnley and Manchester City during this period.

The earliest Mbeumo and/or Amad could return - if called up by their respective nations - is December 31, 2025 as that is when the group stage concludes and the best third-placed teams are decided.

Interestingly, Cameroon and Ivory Coast have been drawn in the same group along with Gabon and Mozambique. That means Mbeumo and Amad are set to go head-to-head on December 28, 2025.

Premier League rivals Liverpool and Man City are also set to be impacted, potentially losing Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush respectively.