Manchester United forward Bryan Mbeumo and Cameroon have been knocked out of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after their quarter-final defeat to Morocco.
Bryan Mbeumo, Amad and Noussair Mazraoui all departed Manchester United midway through December to compete in the latest edition of AFCON.
All three players enjoyed a strong start to the tournament and qualification to the knockout rounds. Amad was the standout, with two Man of the Match awards in the group stages.
Mbeumo and Cameroon were one of the favourites to win the trophy heading into December but the United forward’s side were knocked out on Friday evening against Morocco.
Mazraoui’s team came out as 2-0 victors on the night, with Real Madrid star Brahim Diaz scoring the opening goal of the clash.
Mbeumo’s return date for United revealed after AFCON exit
Mbeumo will be frustrated with Cameroon’s defeat, especially as they also failed to qualify for the World Cup later this year, but United fans will be pleased that he will be returning to England.
The Reds have missed their clinical forward in recent weeks. Mbeumo remains the top scorer this season at Old Trafford with seven goals.
Without him or Amad, United have been missing that natural left-footed right winger and his return will be a welcome boost for the Reds, who have sacked Ruben Amorim since the three players departed for AFCON.
Darren Fletcher has confirmed, however, that Mbeumo will not be available to face Brighton on Sunday despite his return from AFCON. He will instead be back available for the Manchester derby on Saturday, 17 January.
“I think it’s too close a turnaround,” Fletcher explained. “So we’ll have the same players available for the game, as we had against Burnley, so no new additions. Bryan and Nous will not be available for the game.”
Mbeumo’s role in new United system
It will be great to have Mbeumo back in action for that City clash as he has proven how important he can be to the team.
That could also be the first game that United’s caretaker head coach is charge for, with Ole Gunnar Solskjær and Michael Carrick being the two main contenders for the role.
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Under Fletcher in the last game, United played in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Bruno Fernandes back in the no.10 position and Matheus Cunha on the right flank.
Mbeumo would likely come and play on the right side but there also is a possibility of him being used centrally when Amad also returns from AFCON.
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