Like a lot of teams in the Premier League, Manchester United are set to be stung with a raft of players leaving for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON). Bryan Mbuemo, Noussair Mazraoui and Amad Diallo will depart to represent their respective countries.
United have recently started to build good foundations, with just one defeat in nine, and their African players have been central to their recent upturn. But just how much will this hamper the Red Devils?
The deadline will pass for players to be with their parent clubs when Manchester United next play, therefore the three players will depart when United face Bournemouth on Monday night.
Will the affect be detrimental or can United find a way without some key players in their ranks?
Bryan Mbuemo
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 08: Bryan Mbuemo of Manchester United looks on during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester United at Molineux on December 08, 2025 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
Bryan Mbuemo, one of United’s first names on the teamsheet, will be heading to the tournament with Cameroon.
An inspired piece of business in the summer, Mbuemo has been a pivotal part of United’s upswing in form, making his transfer from Brentford in the summer cunning recruitment.
A gap was in the market for clinical finishing in the final third for United, and his 20+ goal season for the Bees enticed Ruben Amorim to sign him.
Six Premier League goals in fifteen appearances shows the edge to his game and something that was lacking significantly last campaign, however Mbuemo is one of the names that’ll be out of action due to AFCON.
What changes will be made to facilitate Mbuemo’s departure remains to the seen, but his importance to the side will certainly be felt; United will have to deal with that and quickly.
His goals have earned the Red Devils vital points, now they will have to turn elsewhere to find them in the Cameroonian’s exile.
Amad Diallo
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 8: Manchester United's Amad Diallo during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester United at Molineux on December 8, 2025 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by MB Media/Getty Images)
Another Manchester United ever-present, Amad Diallo's figure on the right-hand side will be a miss as he travels to AFCON with the Ivory Coast.
The importance of Amad Diallo to the Manchester United side often isn't appreciated enough; the 2024/25 horror season could've looked much more sour if it wasn't for Diallo.
Reliability is a strong trait in Diallo's armory, never absent and a name in the starting eleven most weeks, Amorim will have to find a way past his depature.
Dynamic, front-footed, Diallo's energetic bursts and threat in goalmouth actions will simmer from United's attack during his brief getaway.
Much like Mbuemo, United will have to find solutions going forward now as two of their most prominent attackers will depart; a selection ultimatum for Ruben Amorim.
Noussair Mazraoui
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 04: Noussair Mazraoui of Manchester United in action during the Premier League match between Manchester United and West Ham United at Old Trafford on December 04, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images)
The third and final name and another loss on the right-side for United, although Mazraoui's versatility means his departure to represent Morocco will be felt all over the pitch.
United purchased the defender from Bayern Munich last summer in an aim to thwart goals in a leaky back-line, something he adds when selected.
He adds width and a sense of reliability as he can be a solid 7/10 performer anywhere across the back-line, proving his criticality to his side.
With the right-side already depleted, Mazraoui's departure isn't welcomed much either and another selection issue for Amorim.
What it means
A threadbare right flank is something United have to deal with, but one that manager Ruben Amorim will have prepared for.
Mbuemo's goals, Diallo's threat and Mazraoui's defensive solidity are attributes that'll take a fleeting hit. It's not a massive host of bodies missing like Sunderland, whom wave goodbye to seven of their players, but it's certainly an essential backbone to the side that'll prove a detriment to United and the solid run they're currently embarking on.