**Man Utd caretaker manager Darren Fletcher has said that neither Bryan Mbeumo nor Noussair Mazraoui would have been in contention to face Brighton this weekend.**
Both took part in the game between Cameroon and Morocco in the African Cup of Nations on Friday night, but when asked if the player from the losing team could be back for the FA Cup tie, Fletcher replied:
“I don’t think so. I think it’s too close a turnaround. So we’ll have the same players available for the game, as we had against Burnley, so no new additions. Bryan and Nous will not be available for the game.”
The Manchester derby next weekend will likely see certain AFCON stars back in the fold.
Fletcher has confirmed de Ligt’s absence
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The only first-team player who is injured and not at AFCON is Matthijs de Ligt. The centre-back has been sidelined with a back problem since the win over Crystal Palace back in late November.
With Fletcher revealing that he will have the same squad for [**the Brighton game**](https://manunews.com/blog/man-united-predictd-lineup-vs-brighton-fa-cup/) as the 2-2 draw against Burnley, it means de Ligt will be absent for the ninth match in a row.
Another returning Man Utd defender could get minutes on Sunday
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While Mbeumo, Mazraoui and de Ligt won’t feature in the FA Cup clash against the Seagulls, Harry Maguire is expected to make his first appearance since the start of November.
The 32-year-old was named as a substitute for the Burnley fixture midweek, but he did not get off the bench.
Fletcher says that the club’s medical team will have a say on whether Maguire will feature versus Brighton, but he hinted that, like Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount at Turf Moor, he will be looking to put the defender back in if he is ready.
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