Man Utd awaits the decisions of Mbeumo, Mazraoui and Diallo AFCON before Bournemouth

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim said on Friday that the club was preparing for multiple scenarios as it waits to find out if Bryan Mbeumo, Noussair Mazraoui and Amad Diallo are available for Monday’s Premier League home match against Bournemouth.

The trio will join their national teams for the Africa Cup of Nations, which runs from December 21 to January 18. Mbeumo represents Cameroon, Mazraoui plays for Morocco and Diallo is part of the Ivory Coast squad.

The mandatory release date for players entering the tournament is Monday, leaving United unsure if they will be able to perform before they leave.

«We are still in discussions with the national teams, the match is on Monday, they are training here and we are trying to prepare all scenarios,» Amorim told reporters.

«It’s frustrating, but at the same time no one knows who’s going to play, so that’s a good thing. We have players who can handle anything. With a long week you can see a lot of things and work on different things to prepare for the situation.»

«I don’t know if it will be the same situation (when every player goes to AFCON). Each national team has their own ideas about when they want the players. I expect to make a decision today or maybe tomorrow, but we will wait until the last minute to choose the best team.»

Also read | Man City’s Rodri misses Palace match, but is «getting sharper every day»

United’s injury concerns add further complications. Central defenders Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt remain sidelined, while striker Benjamin Sesko is doubtful.

The 22-year-old Slovenian, who signed for 76.5 million euros ($89.77 million) in the final season, has missed United’s last four games with a knee injury sustained in the 2-2 draw against Tottenham Hotspur in November.

«We have to see if he (Sesko) is available. He has food poisoning, but let’s wait, we have two more training sessions,» Amorim said.

United are sixth in the table with 25 points from fifteen games, while Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth are thirteenth with twenty points.

Amorim expects a strict test from the visitors.

«They are a top team, a top manager with special players. I don’t look at the results, I look at the way they face every opponent, they press very strongly, they are direct in the game,» said the Portuguese.

«That gives us a lot of opportunities to prepare for the match. I expect a very tough match, but we have to win, especially at home.»

Published on December 12, 2025