Manchester United are preparing for crucial negotiations as they attempt to hold onto key players for as long as possible before the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
United's Battle Against the AFCON Calendar
The club is set to lose the services of Bryan Mbeumo, Amad, and Noussair Mazraoui during the busy December period. Mbeumo is a crucial figure for Cameroon, while Amad and Mazraoui represent the Ivory Coast and Morocco respectively. The tournament's scheduling means Premier League clubs face losing vital squad members mid-season.
Under current regulations, United are obligated to release their international stars two weeks before their nation's first match. This would see the trio depart around the time of United's Premier League trip to Wolves at Molineux on December 8.
Amorim's Plan to Bend the Rules
Head coach Ruben Amorim has openly discussed the club's strategy. Speaking in his pre-match press conference, he confirmed: "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 see. We will try to arrange something with the federations."
The potential absences could be significant. Should any of the players progress deep into the tournament, they might miss eight Premier League fixtures, including key clashes against Aston Villa and Newcastle, plus an FA Cup third-round tie.
Precedent for Success with Onana
United have previous experience in this area, having successfully delayed Andre Onana's departure for the same competition two years ago. The club managed to keep the goalkeeper until the day before Cameroon's opening game, meaning he missed just a single FA Cup tie against Newport.
The timing is particularly challenging for Amorim, who is enjoying his best period since taking charge at Old Trafford. Summer signing Bryan Mbeumo has been among the team's standout performers, while Amad has established himself as a regular starter. Mazraoui's versatility across the defence makes him another significant loss.
Morocco, as tournament hosts, open the competition against Comoros on December 21, with Cameroon playing their first match on December 24. The tournament concludes on January 18. United's ideal scenario would see them retain their key players until at least after their match against Bournemouth on December 15.
