Rúben Amorim has explained when Amad, Bryan Mbeumo, and Noussair Mazraoui will leave for AFCON as he speaks on Manchester United’s Academy.
With the November international break coming to an end, Rúben Amorim is now fully focused on preparing Manchester United for Monday evening’s meeting with Everton.
United currently occupy seventh place in the Premier League, sitting level on points with Tottenham in fifth. They are only a point behind Sunderland in fourth and two points off Chelsea in third.
Despite beginning the season poorly, United have started to build momentum. They are unbeaten in their last five matches and have lost just once in their previous seven, helping them climb the standings.
Everton sit 13th and have taken two wins, two defeats, and a draw from their last five fixtures. Their 2–0 defeat to Fulham before the break has not dampened the mood in David Moyes’ camp as they look ahead to their trip to Old Trafford.
Amorim explains AFCON departure date
While both Amad and Bryan Mbeumo are expected to start for United when they play Everton, this will not be the case for too much longer. Both rowards, as well as defender Noussair Mazraoui, are set to depart in mid-December to represent their national sides at the African Cup of Nations.
AFCON starts on 21 December, but by a ruling, all clubs must release those called up to the competition two weeks before it starts. Speaking on Friday afternoon, Amorim confirmed that although the club have asked if they can be kept longer, this is not a decision in their hands.
We have rules when we have to release players, we will see,” the 40-year-old explained. “We are doing our job trying to maintain the players a little longer, but it is not in our hands, but we will try to do everything to protect the club, protect the players and protect the national team.
“I think they will leave two weeks before the start, so we will try to get something with the federations, but we will need to respect their will in this case.”
If United lose the trio two weeks before the competition starts, this would be around 7 December. Therefore, they would miss at least the Wolves (A), Bournemouth (H), Aston Villa (A), Newcastle (H), and Wolves (H) before the group stage ends.
Any further absences will depend on whether any players qualify for AFCON’s knockout stage in the new year.
Amorim ready to use the Academy to solve the problem
While missing Mazraoui is a dealable problem, since the Moroccan international has not been a regular starter this campaign, the losses of Amad and Mbeumo are much more significant due to their integral partnership on the right flank.
However, when asked how he could replace those departing to AFCON, Amorim was quick to mention that the club have fantastic players in the Academy who can make the step up.
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“There is an opportunity for other players,” Amorim explained. “There is also the Under-21s, and we need to send a message, our academy is for the moment, we’ll be ready.”
With Mbeumo and Amad vacating the right-hand side, if Amorim were to turn to the U21S, the clear standout replacement is right-winger Shea Lacey.
A Liverpool-born superstar in the making, the 18-year-old is by far the most “ready” Academy player to step up, and will no doubt be in Amorim’s mind.
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