Manchester United are set to lose Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui this month as they depart for the Africa Cup of Nations.
While Andre Onana has missed out on AFCON, United trio Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui are all set to feature in the tournament, which starts on December 21.
Ruben Amorim will be forced to reshuffle his Manchester United lineup over a hectic winter fixture list as a result.
Amorim has confirmed when United’s AFCON stars will leave, admitting that the club has done everything possible to keep hold of them for Premier League matches.
Details around the Fifa rules for releasing players for the tournament have now been revealed.
Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo do the Homer Simpson dance
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Man United told by Fifa when AFCON trio will depart
Considering Mbeumo is United’s top scorer this season and Amad has been the best wing-back at the club this season, they will be severely missed while away at AFCON.
Journalist Keith Downie has revealed via X that Fifa have informed clubs that players can be retained until December 15th.
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Bendito Mantato in Manchester United Training Session
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It means that Mbeumo, Amad and Mazraoui should feature in the upcoming games against West Ham and Wolves, and even could still be around for Bournemouth’s trip to Old Trafford on December 15.
However, they will miss matches against Aston Villa, Newcastle United and Wolves in the second half of the month.
When Man United stars could return from AFCON
The time spent at AFCON will depend on how far Cameroon, Ivory Coast and Morocco progress through the tournament.
It is guaranteed that they will at least miss the rest of December, with the group stage ending on December 31.
If any of United’s AFCON trio are knocked out in the group stage, they should return in time for the first Premier League clash of 2026 against Leeds United.
READ MORE: Ruben Amorim asked if Bryan Mbeumo and Man Utd teammate intentionally did something together vs Crystal Palace
The round of 16 matches then take place between January 3-6, the quarter-finals on January 9-10, semi-finals on January 14 and the final on January 17.
If any of Mbeumo, Amad or Mazraoui go all the way to the final, they will miss as many as six league matches and return in time to face Arsenal on January 25.