Bryan Mbeumo and Amad are going to miss at least three Manchester United matches due to playing at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), though the duo are expected to miss even more action
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim(Image: Getty Images)
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Manchester United have been left an "impossible" task to replace Bryan Mbeumo and Amad and cope without them while the duo are at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
That is the verdict of ex-United defender Paul Parker, who believes United have been dealt a "nightmare" situation with both Mbeumo and Amad - their only two senior right wing options - heading to the tournament this week.
Mbeumo, 26, has made an impressive start to life at Old Trafford following his £65million plus add-ons move from Brentford in July, scoring seven times in 17 appearances for the Reds. Meanwhile, Amad, who has dropped back to right-wing back this season to accommodate Mbeumo, has been a vital part of Ruben Amorim's set-up since he took charge and scored the opener in the 4-4 draw against Bournemouth on Monday.
But United are now going to be without both Mbeumo and Amad for at least the next two-and-a-half weeks. AFCON gets underway this Sunday, with Mbeumo's Cameroon first in action on Wednesday, December 24 against Gabon, while Amad's Ivory Coast kickstart against Mozambique on the same day.
Bryan Mbeumo is heading off to AFCON
Bryan Mbeumo is heading off to AFCON(Image: AP)
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With Cameroon and Ivory Coast in the same group, there is a small chance one of Mbeumo or Amad could be back in a United shirt sooner rather than later, though both nations will be expecting to progress. Should one - or even both - get knocked out of the group stage, it's expected that they would miss three Premier League matches against Aston Villa, Newcastle United and Wolves - and then be back to face Leeds United.
But if Cameroon and/or Ivory Coast get through to the knockout phase, they wouldn't be able to feature for United against Leeds and could miss further matches, including the FA Cup third round tie against Brighton.
The AFCON final takes place on Sunday, January 18, meaning Mbeumo and Amad would miss seven, maybe eight, United fixtures should their respective countries make it to the final two.
Amorim is going to have to find a solution with Mbeumo and Amad out for the foreseeable future - but Parker believes it will be a very difficult task and that the Reds will "struggle" without them.
Parker said: "It is impossible for Man United to cope with the loss of Mbeumo when he leaves for the AFCON. They simply can't. They have no one close to his level, so they will struggle without him.
"He is going to be a massive miss, and I can't see how they can do anything without him. We have to remember that he is one of the best players in the league, and he is definitely the best player from Manchester United.
Amad Diallo celebrates scoring for Manchester United
Amad Diallo celebrates scoring for Manchester United
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"He is seriously scary on that right hand side, but who should replace him? Amad Diallo is gone as well. Will they play Mason Mount or Zirkzee there? Gosh, I can't imagine how that is going to look."
"Of course, Amad will be a massive miss as well," Parker added. "Man United might have to change their whole approach, because nothing will come from that right hand side without them. Amad is a big threat and we can see that in every game. No one is able to take on their opponent like him, so no one can replace him.
"Combined with both of them being out, that is going to be a nightmare. It will be a true nightmare, and I don't really have faith that other players can step up to their level, which is normally expected at a big club like Manchester United."
Mbeumo and Amad are not the only United players unavailable due to AFCON. Noussair Mazraoui is another, with the full-back heading to represent Morocco at the tournament.