Manchester United duo Amad and Bryan Mbeumo were on opposite teams as they faced each other in the group stages of AFCON on the weekend.
One of the most interesting aspects of Manchester United’s team this season has been the relationship between Amad and Bryan Mbeumo.
The two attackers are both naturally right wingers but have been playing together in Ruben Amorim’s system, with Amad as the wingback and Mbeumo as the right-sided no.10.
United are currently without either of them as they both are playing at AFCON in Morocco. Mbeumo is representing five-time winners Cameroon while Amad is with Ivory Coast, who has won the competition three times.
Both of their nations are in Group F of AFCON and they faced each other on Sunday evening after Amad and Mbeumo both won Man of the Match in their opening games.
Amad shows true colours with Mbeumo comments
Mbeumo and Amad both entered the clash full of confidence. Amad scored the winning goal in Ivory Coast’s opening win while Mbeumo assisted Cameroon’s winner against Gabon.
It was Amad who stole the show, however, with the 23-year-old scoring a brilliant goal from outside the box to open the scoring early in the second half.
Cameroon did come back to score an equaliser after an own-goal from Ghislain Konan but Amad was named Man of the Match once again.
Speaking after the game, the Ivorian was full of praise for his United teammate Mbeumo. “Bryan is a good teammate; good lad,” he said.
“We talked before the game. I told him after the game, we can change jerseys. He is a good lad and I wish him all the best with Cameroon. I want to think about myself, about my team, and try to win the last game.
Speaking on his strike, Amad added: “It’s a good goal, but I don’t think it’s one of the best. I was happy – I wanted to win the game especially, but the goal [does have some significance] for me.”
United’s AFCON trio in good form
Ivory Coast and Cameroon are currently joint-top of their group with four points each and they are both likely to qualify for the knockout stages.
On one hand, United fans would love to see one of their players lift the trophy but they would also like to see them back at Old Trafford as soon as possible.
The final of AFCON is not until 18 January and if Amad, Mbeumo or Noussair Mazraoui reach that stage, they would not be available for the Reds until the visit to Arsenal on 25 January.
But it is good for the club that all three appear to be in form right now and hopefully they can carry that throughout the tournament and for when they return.
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