BREAKING NEWS: Three Manchester United Academy Graduates Handed Massive Opportunity as Mbeumo, Amad, and Mazraoui Depart for AFCON — Trio Trained With the First Team Yesterday
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim entered this winter period fully aware that the coming weeks would stretch his squad to its limits, largely due to circumstances beyond his control.
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) notoriously disrupts Premier League clubs each season, and United are no exception.
With Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo all representing nations that qualified for AFCON, the club will lose three important first-team players during one of the busiest parts of the campaign.
The situation has been made even more complicated by uncertainty surrounding their availability. FIFA’s official mandate states that all clubs must release AFCON-bound players by December 15, yet United have been locked in talks with the Moroccan, Ivorian, and Cameroonian football federations in a bid to keep their players for Monday’s clash against Bournemouth. Whether these negotiations succeed remains unresolved.
Despite the disruption, Amorim has chosen to frame the situation in a positive light. Speaking on Friday, he admitted that the uncertainty is frustrating but also creates tactical unpredictability for opponents.
“Nobody knows who will play, and that can be a good thing,” he said. “We have enough depth to manage anything. A full week of training gives us room to plan for every possible scenario.”
Regardless of the Bournemouth outcome, the absence of the AFCON trio is inevitable — and with that comes a rare opening for three United players to stake their claim for a long-term role heading into 2026.
Ayden Heaven is the first in line. The young centre-back arrived from Arsenal earlier this year with just one senior appearance to his name but has since grown into a valuable squad member.
Injuries to Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire, combined with Mazraoui’s impending departure, have thrust Heaven into a key role.
He has already made 11 appearances and has even been trusted to marshal the centre of United’s back three at times — a sign of both his progress and United’s current defensive shortages.
While Leny Yoro is expected to reclaim his starting spot once he regains form, this winter presents Heaven with a priceless chance to convince Amorim he deserves regular minutes — especially if Maguire moves on at season’s end.
Another beneficiary of AFCON absences is Patrick Dorgu, who has been rotating with Diogo Dalot at left wing-back throughout the season. Dalot has recently secured the left side as his own, but Amad’s departure changes the equation.
With right wing-back suddenly weakened, Dalot is expected to shift back to his preferred side, opening the door for Dorgu to reclaim the left flank.
This window could be transformative for the young Dane. If he performs well during Amad’s absence, it may become difficult for Amorim to drop him once the squad is fully reunited.
In attack, Matheus Cunha is the final player poised to take advantage of the AFCON reshuffle. Cunha’s start to life at Old Trafford has been mixed — his build-up play and link-ups with Mbeumo, Mason Mount, and Benjamin Sesko have been promising, yet his numbers tell a different story.
With only one goal and one assist from 13 appearances, he knows he must deliver more.
Now, with Mbeumo unavailable, United need a standout figure in the final third. Cunha has a golden chance to become that focal point.
Amorim is expected to use him both as the main striker and in a No.10 role once Sesko returns to peak fitness.
