While Manchester United have been in good form of late, Rúben Amorim will be keeping one eye on the upcoming African Cup of Nations tournament.
Manchester United’s recent form has seen fans injected with a whole new sense of optimism after a poor start to the season under Rúben Amorim.
The first two months of the season, August and September, saw United lose four of their opening seven games, drawing one and winning two, against relegation-threatened Burnley and a ten-man Chelsea.
However, since the beginning of October, it has been nothing but wins for Amorim, with a 2-0 bossing of Sunderland, a fantastic 2-1 victory over Liverpool, and the recent 4-2 thumping of Brighton giving fans a reason to feel good about the squad.
But, while the recent winning form has been a major plus for the Reds, Amorim will be keeping one eye on the team he will need to select once Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon), Amad (Ivory Coast), and Noussair Mazraoui (Morocco) head to the African Cup of Nations between 21 December and 18 January.
What is United’s best XI during AFCON
Mbeumo and Amad have been essential to Amorim in recent weeks, forming a formidable connection on the right flank. Mazraoui, however, has not been overly involved, having suffered through multiple injuries since the start of the campaign.
A lot of United’s starting XI without the trio will remain the same, with the likes of Matheus Cunha, Matthijs de Ligt, Benjamin Šeško, and Senne Lammens still set to start. However, who plays at wing-back will be affected.
Amad has been the right wing-back for much of this season, and part of the reason he has been so effective is his strong left foot. With the Ivorian unavailable for selection, Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu could instead be used in the position to keep the left-footed balance going.
If Dorugu were to play on the right, this would give the chance for Luke Shaw to play in his preferred position at left wing-back. Lisandro Martínez’s return from injury, expected early November, could provide a timely reintroduction to senior football.
As for who starts on the right side of attack, Bruno Fernandes may be reintroduced there. The club captain has played on the right for Amorim before, and would likely be the safest bet.
This would also allow Kobbie Mainoo to slot into midfield alongside Casemiro, maintaining the balance, with the former currently labelled by Amorim as Fernandes’ direct replacement in the starting XI.
With Mazraoui gone, Leny Yoro would likely be handed the primary role at right centre-back, with De Ligt continuing in the middle and Martínez on the left.
United’s best XI during AFCON: Lammens, Yoro, De Ligt, Martínez, Dorgu, Casemiro, Mainoo, Shaw, Fernandes, Šeško, Cunha.
What games could the trio miss during AFCON?
Should any of United’s three AFCON stars make it to the final on 18 January, they could miss up to seven fixtures for the Reds during a busy time in the Premier League.
With the tournament set to kick off on 21 December, this would initially rule all three players out of the ties against Aston Villa (A), Newcastle (H), and Wolverhampton Wanderers (H) due to the group stage, which ends on December 31.
United then play Leeds United (A) on 3 January, so if any of the trio exit the competition in the group stage, depending on their fitness level, this fixture could be missed, too.
If any of Mbeumo, Amad, or Mazraoui were to make it through the knockout stages, Burnley (A), the third round of the FA Cup, and Manchester City (H) could all be missed, should they make it to the final.
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