Approaching a critical juncture in the season, an already light Manchester United squad is set to be hampered even further for the foreseeable future, ahead of the start of AFCON next week.
In previous years, the impact on the Red Devils has been minimal, with Andre Onana notably missing just one game back in 2024, as Altay Bayindir took his place for the 4-2 win over Newport County.
Ruben-Amorim-Man-Utd-Arsenal
This time around, however, the disruption could be far more harmful for Ruben Amorim's men, with the whole right-hand side from the 4-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers set to be absent, in the form of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad and Bryan Mbeumo.
That departure of that trio - who could potentially still feature in Monday's clash with Bournemouth - will leave a significant void for Amorim to fill, particularly with regard to Amad and Mbeumo.
Mazraoui, of course, has been one of United's best signings in recent years, but there is at least depth in the centre-back ranks. The same can't be said for the roles ahead of him, however.
How Man Utd can replace Amad and Mbeumo
In the defeat to ten-man Everton late last month, it was stark how two attacking absences could leave United looking so depleted, with Matheus Cunha missing after sustaining a head knock in training, while Benjamin Sesko remained sidelined after limping off with a knee injury against Tottenham Hotspur.
Looking to the substitutes bench, with the hosts chasing the game at Old Trafford, Amorim had little in the way of obvious, senior options, ultimately turning to Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount and Diogo Dalot as the only second-half changes.
Even with Sesko still sidelined, the Red Devils have somewhat muddled through since then, with Joshua Zirkzee notably netting against Crystal Palace, while that man Mount has already found his groove with two in his last three.
Amad-Mbeumo-Man-Utd
However, trying to replace the dynamic duo of Amad and Mbeumo on that right flank is a different matter altogether, with Amorim seemingly lacking that real pace and creativity elsewhere in the first-team squad.
A possible solution for Amad's role at right wing-back is Dalot, while there's also an argument to be made that Patrick Dorgu could fill either position, having been deployed as a right-winger during his stint at Lecce.
Equally, the aforementioned Mount could slot into a right-sided number ten role, alongside Cunha and Sesko, although again, that lack of genuine speed would be an issue, as would be the absence of a natural left-footer.
As this has made clear, Amorim simply doesn't have a ready-made replacement for either Amad or Mbeumo in his senior ranks - but might he back at Carrington?
Man Utd may have the next Amad & Mbeumo at Carrington
Amorim's neglect of the academy, not just because of the 40-year-old's handling of Kobbie Mainoo, has been a nagging issue for supporters this season, with no youth player having debuted to date.
Of course, an injury crisis did see the likes of Chido Obi and Harry Amass parachuted in last term, notably in the league, as United prioritised their Europa League exploits, although the lack of European football, alongside the debacle at Grimsby Town, has limited the ability to rotate and promote in 2025/26.
The reality of just one game a week is a key factor in those minimal opportunities, although, as was clear in that grim loss to the Toffees, there has certainly been times where Amorim could have been more willing to utilise his homegrown talent.
Amad & Mbeumo - 25/26 PL stats
Stat (*per game)
Games
Starts
Goals
Assists
Big chances missed
Big chances created
Key passes*
Successful dribbles*
Duels won*
Stats via Sofascore
With AFCON now looming, it may simply force his hand, with 18-year-old Shea Lacey - a regular fixture on the bench in recent weeks - surely in line to make his first-team debut.
A name on the lips of fans and reporters alike during his development at Carrington, the 'next Phil Foden' has had to bide his time, while notably enduring injury issues in recent seasons.
In nine U21 games this season, however, he has looked back to his best, registering five goals and assists, two of which came against senior opposition in the EFL Trophy.
Typically a figure who operates in a right-sided attacking role, the balletic left-footer could be the natural replacement for Mbeumo, with Como scout and analyst Ben Mattinson previously describing him as "perfect for the right-sided number ten in Amorim's system".
Amorim
As Mattinson also noted, one player who could then partner Lacey down that right flank, in a wing-back role, is 17-year-old Bendito Mantato, with the pair having "shown good understanding" together in the youth ranks.
Mantato, who has earned comparisons to Arsenal's Bukayo Saka in the past, could be a wildcard Amad replacement on that side, having flitted between starting as a full-back and winger in the academy set-up of late.
Mantato
Another natural left-footer, the Manchester-born starlet would provide that attacking thrust in a wing-back berth, having scored 16 times in 27 recorded U18 games, as per Transfermarkt, while registering six goals and assists in 20 U21 games thus far.
A player of "similar profile" to Sporting's Geovany Quenda, in the view of Mattinson, Mantato could replicate the Portuguese teenager in flourishing as one of Amorim's wing-backs, with the United boss having shown no hesitation in throwing the Chelsea-bound talent into the mix back in Lisbon.
Of course, trying to replicate the fine partnership that Amad and Mbeumo have struck up will be no small feat, although in the form of Lacey and Mantato, Amorim might just have the best solution available to him.
Mount Related
[Amorim's new Mount: INEOS hunting Man Utd deal to sign £150k-p/w "monster"](https://www.footballfancast.com/amorims-new-mount-ineos-hunting-man-utd-deal-to-sign-conor-gallgher/ "Amorim's new Mount: INEOS hunting Man Utd deal to sign £150k-p/w "monster"")
Manchester United look set to make a move for a new midfielder in the upcoming transfer window.