Ex-Manchester United defender Paul Parker says it will be 'impossible' for Ruben Amorim to cope without Bryan Mbeumo and Amad at the Africa Cup of Nations
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim won't have Bryan Mbeumo or Amad Diallo available for the foreseeable future
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim won't have Bryan Mbeumo or Amad Diallo available for the foreseeable future
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Manchester United face an "impossible" challenge to replace Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo whilst the pair are away at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). That's according to former United defender Paul Parker, who reckons United have been handed a "nightmare" scenario with both Mbeumo and Amad - their only two senior right wing options - jetting off to the tournament this week.
Mbeumo, 26, has made a strong impression at Old Trafford since his £65million plus add-ons transfer from Brentford in July, finding the net seven times in 17 outings for the Reds. Meanwhile, Amad, who has shifted back to right-wing back this season to make room for Mbeumo, has been crucial to Ruben Amorim's system since his arrival and netted the opening goal in Monday's 4-4 stalemate against Bournemouth.
However, United will now be deprived of both Mbeumo and Amad for a minimum of the next two-and-a-half weeks. AFCON kicks off this Sunday, with Mbeumo's Cameroon taking to the pitch first on Wednesday, 24 December against Gabon, whilst Amad's Ivory Coast begins their campaign against Mozambique on the same day.
With Cameroon and the Ivory Coast drawn in the same group, there's a slim possibility that either Mbeumo or Amad could return to Manchester United sooner than anticipated, although both nations are expected to advance. If one or both teams were to be eliminated in the group stage, it's predicted they would miss three Premier League matches against Aston Villa, Newcastle United and Wolves, before returning to face Leeds United, reports the Manchester Evening News.
However, if Cameroon and/or the Ivory Coast progress to the knockout stages, they wouldn't be available for United's clash with Leeds and could potentially miss additional fixtures, including the FA Cup third-round tie against Brighton.
The AFCON final is scheduled for Sunday, January 18, which means Mbeumo and Amad could miss up to eight United games should their respective countries reach the final.
Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo
Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo have been vital for Manchester United this season
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United manager Amorim will need to find a solution to cope without Mbeumo and Amad for the foreseeable future - a task that pundit Parker believes will be extremely challenging.
Parker told MyBettingSites.co.uk: "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.
"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 aren't the only United players missing due to AFCON. Noussair Mazraoui is another, with the full-back set to represent Morocco at the tournament.
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