Manchester United have a huge couple of weeks ahead of them, with Ruben Amorim desperately needing to find a solution to various issues across the squad.
The attacking department has been hugely improved in 2025/26, as seen by their tally of 30 goals in their first 16 Premier League matches of the campaign.
However, INEOS have made it clear they want further attacking reinforcements in January, which has seen Antoine Semenyo just one player shortlisted at Old Trafford.
Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo celebrates scoring their first goal
The Ghanian has already netted seven goals in England’s top-flight this campaign, with his latest effort coming against the Red Devils on Monday evening.
However, the move could come as a surprise to many outsiders, but there is a huge reason why Amorim’s men are in the hunt for added attacking reinforcements.
Why United are set to struggle due to AFCON
The African Cup of Nations comes round every two years, giving players from such a continent to make themselves heroes for their respective countries.
However, it does pose a huge issue to many Premier League clubs, with Amorim’s United one of the sides hugely affected by this year’s edition of the competition.
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim applauds fans before the match
Three players, Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui, have all linked up with their nations, which has left a huge issue for the manager to contend with down the right-hand side.
Losing three players would be a challenge to any manager, but the aforementioned trio have arguably been the Red Devils’ best players in the 2025/26 campaign to date.
Mbeumo and Amad have been two of the club’s star performers in England’s top-flight, subsequently registering 11 combined goals and assists between them to date.
Such a tally is 36% of the whole club’s goal tally in the league, with the former of the duo currently sitting top of the goalscoring charts with his tally of six.
Amad-Mbeumo-Man-Utd
The competition ends on the 18th of January, which could see the pair miss seven games between them should their nations both reach the final, which may leave Amorim with a huge decision to make.
The solution to United’s AFCON troubles
Given the impact of losing Mbeumo and Amad, United currently have two separate solutions to fix the issues they could face as a result of the African Cup of Nations.
Option one could be to delve back into the transfer market and once again bolster the frontline, with Semenyo one name that continues to be linked with a switch to Old Trafford.
He’s set to be one of the most in-demand players in the Premier League, especially when his £65m release clause becomes active on the first day of the new year.
Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo
However, the Red Devils will need to act swiftly to secure the 25-year-old’s signature, with his current clause only lasting for the first ten days of the January window.
Another option the manager could choose is to put faith in the academy ranks, subsequently handing Shea Lacey the chance to prove his worth in the absence of Mbeumo and Amad.
The 18-year-old is yet to make his senior debut for the first-team, but has been consistently on the bench this campaign, with Amorim yet to hand him his big break.
However, he has impressed for the U21 side throughout the ongoing campaign, as seen by his incredible tally of goal contributions from his nine appearances to date.
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim applauds fans after the match
Lacey, who’s an England U20 international, has five combined goals and assists despite playing three years above his age group, even scoring a double in a 4-1 win over Crystal Palace.
It could be a huge step up for the teenager, but he does possess very similar traits to the outgoing African talents, which could make him the perfect short-term replacement.
Like Mbeumo and Amad, Lacey is a left-footed attacker who loves to play off the right-hand side, often cutting inside onto his favoured foot and finding the top corner. In the words of journalist Jack Kenmare, he looks like "a Phil Foden regen".
Like Foden and indeed Semenyo, Lacey has rapidly become known for his dribbling ability in recent years, as seen at youth level, leading to one analyst labelling the teenager as “impossible to dispossess”.
Shea Lacey - stats against Notts County
Statistics
Minutes played
Touches
Passes completed
Passes into final third
Dribbles completed
Ground duels won
Fouls won
Gosls scored
Stats via FotMob
His recent showing in the Vertue Motors Trophy against Notts County was evidence of such talent, subsequently scoring whilst also completing three dribbles - the most of anyone in the match.
It may not be the most popular of decisions this January, but catapulting Lacey into the first-team reckoning could well prove to be an excellent option for the manager.
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim walks off for half time
Semenyo would no doubt be a phenomenal addition, but it’s £65m worth of funds that should be directed into other areas of the pitch to bolster their Premier League standing.
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Manchester United's search for new attack-minded wing-backs appears to be stepping up.