Manchester United are preparing to have talks with several nations in a bid to keep their top players like Bryan Mbeumo for as long as possible before their AFCON exits
Man Utd will lose Bryan Mbeumo to AFCON in December
Man Utd will lose Bryan Mbeumo to AFCON in December(Image: (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images))
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Manchester United want to try and delay the exits of Bryan Mbeumo, Amad and Noussair Mazraoui - who will all eventually have to head off to the Africa Cup of Nations.
Mbeumo is a leading light for Cameroon whilst Amad and Mazraoui represent the Ivory Coast and Morocco respectively. The major tournament's position in the global calendar means they are unavailable for their Premier League sides midway through the season.
Current regulations state that United need to release their trio two weeks before their country's first games. As things stand that would be in and around the period they travel to Wolves, whom they play at Molineux on December 8.
Cameroon and Morocco play their opening games on the same date - December 24. Mazraoui's Morocco are the tournament hosts and play in the opening game against Comoros on December 21. The final is on January 18.
Ruben Amorim admits that United are in dialogue with the players' national federations as they attempt to try and delay their departures.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Friday, he said: "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."
December has always been a hectic period for the Premier League and, should any of their players go deep into the tournament, it means they could end up missing eight Premier League games - which includes clashes with Aston Villa and Newcastle - as well as an FA Cup third-round tie.
United have previously succeeded in getting their way when it comes to player exits. They managed to keep goalkeeper Andre Onana until the day before Cameroon's first game in the competition two years ago. That meant their former No 1 only ended up missing a single game - an FA Cup tie at Newport.
Man Utd previously succeeded in delaying Andre Onana's departure to AFCON
Man Utd previously succeeded in delaying Andre Onana's departure to AFCON
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Amorim is in the midst of the best period of his tenure in Manchester and Mbeumo, their summer signing from Brentford, has been among their best players this term. Amad is also a regular and the head coach will be loathed to lose them. Mazraoui is hugely versatile across the defensive line.
United's ideal scenario would see them keep hold of their stars until at least after their game against Bournemouth on December 15.
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