Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest preview and team news
Man Utd are in fine form but know there is not long left before a key trio are unavailable.
Ruben Amorim admitted Manchester United will 'suffer' and 'struggle' when players leave to participate in the Africa Cup of Nations at the end of the year. United have won three successive matches in the Premier League and will look to make it four in a row when they travel to face Nottingham Forest this weekend.
A key part of their recent resurgence has been the partnership of Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo on the right wing, two players who are expected to be called up for their respective nations in December. The tournament begins on 21 December when hosts Morocco take on Comoros, with the final set to be played on 18 January.
It means Mbeumo, Amad and Noussair Mazraoui are all guaranteed to miss three Premier League matches during the group stages if they are selected for the tournament, while those who reach the final stages of the competition could miss seven games in total for their club.
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United will 'struggle' during AFCON
The good news for Manchester United is that Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo should both be fit enough to start when they face Nottingham Forest in the Premier League this weekend. Ruben Amorim does not want to look too far ahead and is eager to build enough positive momentum now that will help them cope without key players during the Africa Cup of Nations.
It can't be ignored that United will struggle when the trio head to the tournament in December, but the United head coach believes it will be an opportunity for those who have struggled for playing time this season.
"We will have time to suffer," Amorim said at his pre-match press conference. "We are going to struggle a little bit, but we already knew it's going to be an opportunity. When I watch the training, there are players that should be playing, but it's hard with one game to take some players from the team, because they are doing well also during the training in games. So other players are going to have the opportunity to help us.
"They are understanding the way we want to play, so if we are improving on that, the change of characteristics is not going to change the idea or the momentum of the team. But let's use Amad and Bryan in these games and we will see in general."
Festive fixture schedule*
*Manchester United fixtures subject to change
21 December - Morocco vs Comoros (Mazraoui)
21 December - Aston Villa vs Manchester United
24 December - Ivory Coast vs Mozambique (Amad), Cameroon vs Gabon (Mbeumo)
26 December - Morocco vs Mali (Mazraoui)
27 December - Manchester United vs Newcastle
28 December - Ivory Coast vs Cameroon (Amad, Mbeumo)
29 December - Zambia vs Morocco (Mazraoui)
30 December - Manchester United vs Wolves
31 December - Gabon vs Ivory Coast (Amad), Mozambique vs Cameroon (Mbeumo)
3 January - 6 January - AFCON Round of 16
3 January - Leeds United vs Manchester United
9 January - 10 January - AFCON Quarter-finals
7 January - Burnley vs Manchester United
10 January - FA Cup Third Round
14 January - AFCON Semi-finals
17 January - AFCON Third place play-off
17 January - Manchester United vs Man City
18 January - AFCON Final
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