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Mbeumo | Manchester United via Getty Images
Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo won’t be available for Man United for potentially a month over December and January.
Ruben Amorim will be keenly preparing for Man United’s next game, which is a trip to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace. If the Red Devils were to win, they could climb into the top four of the Premier League table, which would be a real statement of intent to teams around them.
However, the Man United boss will only be too aware that he is getting closer to a serious dilemma at Old Trafford. Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo have arguably been Man United’s two best players at times this season, yet both of them are going to be unavailable for potentially a month over the winter.
The Africa Cup of Nations begins on December 21, and runs until late January, and both Diallo and Mbeumo will be taking part, meaning that Amorim may have to deal without his two best players for a month or so.
Man United should hijack Arsenal transfer for AFCON
One of the potential solutions for Amorim is to sign someone in January who can play in an attacking midfield role, where both Amad and Mbeumo can play. They could opt to hijack a potential Arsenal deal, as the Gunners are reportedly interested in an ideal solution to Amorim’s problems.
According to the Telegraph, Arsenal are keen to sign 20-year-old Elche midfielder Rodrigo Mendoza in January, with the midfielder having a £17.5m release clause in his contract. He can play either as a central midfielder or an attacking midfielder, and his versatility could be ideal to help replace the AFCON players.
Mendoza has made 10 appearances this season for Elche, scoring two goals so far. He would be a cheap short-term solution, but then also a great long-term signing, as he could develop into a real star. The Telegraph also report that Real Madrid are keen on the Spanish midfielder, which says all you need to know. If Madrid are keen, then Man United should be listening, and Mendoza could help to solve Amorim’s AFCON woes.
AFCON could hand Man United youngster a chance
For many eagle-eyed United fans, many will notice that an 18-year-old attacker featured in United’s first team squad against Everton on Monday night. Shea Lacey has been impressing for the Red Devils’ U21S this season, scoring three goals, and providing two assists in nine matches.
His best position is on the right, which is ideal as a replacement for Mbeumo, and for Diallo. It would make sense, if Amorim were to start Lacey, for him to play someone more experienced as the wing-back behind him, such as Diogo Dalot, so he can offer some extra defensive support, but we could really see the birth of a new Man United star in Mbeumo’s absence.
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