Both Mazraoui and Mbeumo advanced at AFCON but will face each other in the quarter-finals, guaranteeing one returns to Manchester United within days.
By Peter Imini
Manchester United’s injury crisis has been well-documented this season, but the African Cup of Nations has added another layer of complexity to Ruben Amorim’s selection headaches. With three key players away on international duty, the Red Devils have been forced to navigate crucial fixtures without some of their most important contributors.
Both Morocco and Cameroon have successfully navigated their last 16 ties, with Morocco narrowly defeating Tanzania and Cameroon edging past South Africa 2-1. Noussair Mazraoui impressed for the tournament hosts, playing 76 minutes at left-back, while Bryan Mbeumo featured for the full 90 minutes in Cameroon’s victory.
While the continued success of both nations prolongs United’s wait for reinforcements, there’s a silver lining that will interest Amorim. The victories have set up a mouth-watering quarter-final clash between Morocco and Cameroon on January 9, meaning one of Mazraoui or Mbeumo is guaranteed to return to Manchester within days.
The timing might not be perfect for next Sunday’s FA Cup clash with Brighton, but whichever player is eliminated would likely be available for the crucial Manchester derby on January 17. This represents a significant boost for United, who have struggled for consistency throughout the campaign.
Amad Diallo remains at the tournament with Ivory Coast, who face Burkina Faso in their last 16 tie. Should they progress, a quarter-final against either Egypt or Benin awaits, potentially extending his absence further.
There’s better news on the injury front, however. Speaking after the draw with Leeds, Amorim revealed he expects Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount to return shortly. “I expect to have some minutes of maybe Bruno [Fernandes] and Mason Mount, maybe. So, we’ll see,” he was quoted via club media.
The manager’s recent comments about his role at the club have sparked debate among supporters, with Amorim insisting: “I came here to be the manager of Manchester United, not to be the head coach.” His determination was evident as he added: “I’m not going to quit. I’ll do my job until another guy is coming here to replace me.”
As United sit sixth in the Premier League despite their inconsistencies, the gradual return of key players could prove crucial in their pursuit of European qualification.