Manchester United are intensifying efforts to retain three key players for as long as possible in December, as the disruptive Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) threatens to derail their Premier League campaign.
United's AFCON Dilemma
The club is locked in crucial discussions concerning the release dates for Bryan Mbeumo, Amad, and Noussair Mazraoui. Under current AFCON regulations, players must be released to their national teams two weeks before their first tournament match.
This rule could see the Red Devils lose the trio for a significant period. Depending on how far Cameroon, Ivory Coast, and hosts Morocco progress, United could be without their stars for up to eight Premier League fixtures, plus a potential FA Cup third-round tie.
A Fight for Key December Fixtures
Manager Ruben Amorim is spearheading the push for flexibility from the national federations. His primary goal is to have all three players available for the Premier League clash against Bournemouth on December 15.
This fixture holds particular weight for the club, having suffered a 3-0 defeat in each of the last two seasons. The potential absences are especially concerning given the team's lack of depth, which was recently exposed in a loss to Everton.
Amorim confirmed the ongoing negotiations last week, stating, "We have the rules for when we have to release the players, but we are trying to have the players a bit longer. It is not just in our hands. We will try to arrange something with the federations."
Precedent for Success and Winter Window Fallback
Manchester United have a history of successfully navigating this exact situation. Two years ago, the club struck a deal with Cameroon that meant goalkeeper Andre Onana missed just one United game during the tournament.
The club is hoping for a similar outcome this time around. The specific release dates are tight. As hosts, Morocco play the tournament's first game against Comoros on December 21, meaning Mazraoui's release would be due around December 7.
Ivory Coast and Cameroon, represented by Amad and Mbeumo respectively, begin their campaigns on December 24, which would see them depart after the Wolves match on December 8.
If the talks prove unsuccessful, Amorim has not ruled out a dip into the January transfer market to cope with the squad depletion. However, he acknowledged the difficulties, saying, "Of course, we are going to have a problem there [with AFCON]. But we already knew... the management of that situation is going to be hard."
A final decision from the national federations is still pending, leaving United and their fans in anxious anticipation.
