After a disastrous 2024/25 campaign - which saw them record their lowest-ever Premier League points total - Manchester United have wasted no time this summer in addressing the urgent need to bolster their attacking unit. While it looks like Alejandro Garnacho is on his way out of Old Trafford, Matheus Cunha has agreed to a deal, and it appears Bryan Mbeumo may be next through the doors.
However, the United faithful were quick to spot a potential issue with signing the latter. Although the Brentford talisman scored 20 goals and provided a further seven assists in the Premier League last season (no doubt music to United fans' ears), there are concerns he could miss a large chunk of next season courtesy of his commitments with Cameroon in the Africa Cup of Nations.
But any fans filling the Theatre of Dreams who doubt the signing are wrong to do so - at least according to former United boss and current Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho. He has previously explained why the in-season competition should not affect the top teams, and thus why Mbeumo's potential absence should not concern Ruben Amorim or his supporters.
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Mourinho Downplays Mbeumo's AFCON Participation Issues
He said that squad depth should not be an issue for big clubs
Bryan Mbeumo celebrating after scoring for Brentford
Mourinho previously told Rio Ferdinand that if you’re a ‘top team’, this is no issue, as you’ll have squad depth. He said on the Rio Presents podcast in 2024, as per United in Focus:
“That is a problem [AFCON] that we know. I always felt that, if you were in a top team, and you have African players, it’s not a problem. Because you miss the guys in two years, for six weeks, it’s not a problem.
"The problem is like, it happens with me in Roma where the squad is a very limited squad, and then you go through these periods, and you lose three players from the African Cup and one player from the Asian Cup. You have a short squad."
“When you are in one of these top clubs, if you want to go for an African player, don’t think twice.” Mourinho also went on to explain the fond relationship he always had with players of African descent. “I always loved and I always had a great response from African players,” he continued. “To be honest I love the guys, and I feel that the African player is very loyal and very pure.”
Whether the Red Devils currently have the squad depth - or the standards - to avoid concern and truly call themselves a top team remains to be seen. Based on last season’s evidence, they still have a long and winding road to redemption. However, with the likes of Rasmus Hojlund, Joshua Zirkzee, and now Cunha available to step into attacking roles during Mbeumo’s absence at AFCON, they should be adequately covered.
One thing that is certain is that they shouldn't overlook Mbeumo. The 25-year-old has already proven he possesses both the physicality and goalscoring credentials to thrive in the Premier League - something most of United's attacking players can't currently claim.
How Long Mbeumo Could Be At AFCON Next Season
The Cameroon international could miss up to 10 games
Bryan Mbeumo in action for Brentford
Mbeumo could miss a large chunk of United’s 2025/26 season due to his near-certain participation in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), for which Cameroon have once again qualified.
The tournament remains scheduled within the broader European club calendar. However, while the last two editions were held at the beginning of the calendar year, the next finals in Morocco will take place later in the year. This could mean the right-winger misses between eight and 10 fixtures for his club. See the key dates below:
Africa Cup of Nations 2025 Key Dates
Round
Group stage
Round of 16
Quarter-finals
Semi-finals
Third place play-off
Final