Manchester United are bracing for a huge setback as three key stars prepare to miss as many as seven matches.
Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui are all set to link up with their national teams for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The tournament will kick off on 21 December 2025 and run until 18 January 2026.
These three players are regular starters under Ruben Amorim.
The United head coach will have to find an in-house solution to this problem, opening the door of opportunity for three players.
Kobbie Mainoo
We are in December and Mainoo has not started a Premier League game yet.
He has played for 181 minutes in the league across 10 games.
With Mbeumo and Diallo away on AFCON duty, Bruno Fernandes could be deployed in the number 10 position.
That shift could open the door for Amorim to finally give Mainoo a consistent run in midfield next to Casemiro.
If the United academy graduate still finds himself sidelined, he may have to take Rio Ferdinand’s advice and seek a move in the winter transfer window.
Patrick Dorgu
Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui have largely shared minutes at right wing-back.
Their absence will make Diogo Dalot undroppable in that spot.
His closest competition will be Bendito Mantato, a 17-year-old academy star who has never played for the first team.
With Dalot moving to the right, Patrick Dorgu becomes an automatic starter in the left wing-back position.
The Danish international arrived in February but has yet to truly justify being one of the first signings of the Amorim era.
He must grab this opportunity with both hands and improve his decision-making in the final third.
Leny Yoro
Mazraoui has delivered two outstanding displays at right centre-back in recent matches.
He has been instrumental in forming attacking triangles with Mbeumo and Diallo in the final third.
His departure will push Leny Yoro back into the starting XI.
Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire are expected to compete for the central centre-back role once fully fit.
Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw are left-footed and are unlikely to be deployed on the right side.
Just like Dalot and Dorgu, Yoro could become undroppable during the AFCON period.
Yoro is a sensational talent but has made mistakes in recent games.
Those errors are simply part of his development and will ultimately help shape him into a top-class defender.
Stats from Fotmob.com