Rúben Amorim has been told he’s about to enter into a nightmare scenario during the next few weeks of the Premier League season.
After battling to an intense 4-4 draw at home to Bournemouth in the Premier League, Manchester United are now four games unbeaten and have suffered only one loss in their last nine.
Ruben Amorim’s side now sit level on 26 points with fifth-place Crystal Palace and just two points behind fourth-place Chelsea.
The Red Devils now enter the testing Christmas period in good goal-scoring form; however, this period has just become a lot tougher.
The trio of Bryan Mbeumo, Amad and Noussair Mazaroui are all heading off on international duty during AFCON, leaving United light for options up front and currently at the back with Matthijs De Ligt and Harry Maguire out injured.
Parker ‘can’t imagine’ how United deal with AFCON losses
Mbeumo and Amad have arguably been two of Amorim’s most important players this season. They have formed a deadly partnership on the right-hand side, with Mbeumo being United’s top scorer this season and Amad also chipping in at wing-back.
With Mazaroui also leaving, United would essentially be losing their potential first-choice right side of the team.
Former Manchester United defender, Paul Parker, has spoken to MyBettingSites.co.uk about the fears he has with United losing Mbeumo in particular.
“It is impossible for Man United to cope with the loss of Mbeumo when he leaves for the AFCON. They simply can’t. They have no one close to his level, so they will struggle without him.
“He is going to be a massive miss, and I can’t see how they can do anything without him. We have to remember that he is one of the best players in the league, and he is definitely the best player from Manchester United.
“He is seriously scary on that right-hand side, but who should replace him? Amad is gone as well. Will they play Mason Mount or [Joshua] Zirkzee there? Gosh, I can’t imagine how that is going to look.”
In the case of Amad, similar panic bells have been sounded out by Parker. “Amad is a big threat and we can see that in every game. No one is able to take on their opponent like him, so no one can replace him.
“Combined with both of them being out, that is going to be a nightmare. It will be a true nightmare, and I don’t really have faith that other players can step up to their level, which is normally expected at a big club like Manchester United.”
Amorim needs to use the Academy
Much has been made recently of Amorim’s use and attitude toward the academy. After giving debuts to the likes of Harry Amass, Chido Obi and Tyler Fredricson, it appears that in recent times, Amorim is hesitant to use members of the youth team.
Even when the side was 4-1 up against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Shea Lacey remained an unused substitute and was not in the squad against Bournemouth.
With both Mbeumo and Amad, there leaves a gaping hole in the attack and at right wing-back for players to have their chances, as well as at centre-back due to Mazarouis’ absence.
Throughout the history of Manchester United, and even as recently as the emergence of Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford, the Academy system has always bailed out the first team, a solution that’s staring Amorim stright in the face.
Times like these are the best time to give minutes to these youngsters, otherwise they will barely get the chance when the first-teamers return.
One player who should definitely be given an opportunity is Bendito Mantato. Not only can he fill in, in the forward positions, but his profile seems to make him the best candidate at right wing-back. Able to get up and down the wing, as well as electric on the ball, now is the best chance to give him the experience.
Not all academy players will make it, but the club will not know if they are ready if they are being denied their debuts.
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