Manager could be without two of his most important attacking players for nearly a month
Ruben Amorim has said that Manchester United could face a difficult period in December when key players leave for the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).
The tournament runs from 21 December to 18 January and will require United to release Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo for international duty. Both players will join the Ivory Coast and Cameroon respectively for the competition.
Right-back Noussair Mazraoui may also join Morocco, although he is not as regular a starter as the other two.
United have a tough fixture list during that window. There are Premier League meetings with Aston Villa, Newcastle United, Wolves, Leeds United, Burnley and Manchester City, and a possible FA Cup third-round tie on 10 January.
If the Ivory Coast and Cameroon make it to the latter stages of Afcon, Amorim could be without two of his most important attacking players for nearly a month.
“We have time to suffer with that,” Amorim said. “We are going to struggle a little bit. But we already knew that.”
Despite his concern, the Portuguese manager suggested the absences would open the door for fringe players to step up.
“It is going to be an opportunity because when I watch the training, there are players that should be playing, but it is hard with one game to take some players from the team because they are going well.
“Other players are going to have the opportunity to help us. They are understanding the way we want to play. The change of characteristics is not going to change the idea or the momentum of the team.”
