How many Manchester United matches Mbeumo, Amad and Mazraoui could miss at AFCON

Manchester United are set to be without three key players over the festive period due to their participation in the Africa Cup of Nations. United appear to be rejuvenated under head coach Ruben Amorim and could make it four successive wins in a row when they travel to face Nottingham Forest this weekend.

There have been several reasons for their recent run of good form, though few have been quite as important as the performances of Bryan Mbeumo in attack. The Cameroon international has five goals and one assist for United this season and has been one of the signings of the summer in the Premier League.

He is not only an exceptional individual talent, but he has made the entire team better, particularly with his link-up play with Amad Diallo on the right flank. It is a new partnership with the potential to be world-class, though it is also a partnership they will have to cope without very soon.

Amorim could be very short of options on the right flank with all of Mbeumo, Amad and Noussair Mazraoui expected to represent their respective nations at the upcoming international tournament. Here is a look at the matches they could miss.

The matches United stars will miss at AFCON 2025

The Africa Cup of Nations was originally scheduled for this summer but was rearranged to the winter in order to squeeze the controversial Club World Cup into the football calendar. It means several Premier League stars will be away during the festive period, with Manchester United set to lose three key players from their first-team squad.

The tournament begins on 21 December when hosts Morocco take on Comoros, with the final set to be played on 18 January. Noussair Mazraoui could be involved in that match if he manages to put his recent injury issues behind him. They also face Mali on 26 December and Zambia on 29 December in their other Group A matches.

Mbeumo and Amad are both involved in the Group G matches, in itself an extra disadvantage because they play the last round of matches each game week. Ivory Coast face Mozambique in their opener on 24 December, while Cameroon face Gabon that same day. The two nations face each other on 28 December, with the final group matches on 31 December.

The round of 16 ties are played between 3 January and 6 January, with the quarter-finals on 9 January and 10 January. The two semi-finals are played on 14 January, the third place play-off on 17 January and the final on 18 January.

It means Mbeumo, Amad and Noussair Mazraoui could all miss the away trip to face Aston Villa on 21 Dec as well as the home matches against Newcastle and Wolves over Christmas. Those who reach the knockout stages could also miss away trips against Leeds United and Burnley in early January and the FA Cup third round tie later in the month. Those who reach the AFCON final would also miss the Manchester derby against Man City that same weekend. It means United could be without their world-class partnership for as many as seven matches.

Festive fixture schedule*

*Manchester United fixtures subject to change

21 December - Morocco vs Comoros (Mazraoui)

21 December - Aston Villa vs Manchester United

24 December - Ivory Coast vs Mozambique (Amad), Cameroon vs Gabon (Mbeumo)

26 December - Morocco vs Mali (Mazraoui)

27 December - Manchester United vs Newcastle

28 December - Ivory Coast vs Cameroon (Amad, Mbeumo)

29 December - Zambia vs Morocco (Mazraoui)

30 December - Manchester United vs Wolves

31 December - Gabon vs Ivory Coast (Amad), Mozambique vs Cameroon (Mbeumo)

3 January - 6 January - AFCON Round of 16

3 January - Leeds United vs Manchester United

9 January - 10 January - AFCON Quarter-finals

7 January - Burnley vs Manchester United

10 January - FA Cup Third Round

14 January - AFCON Semi-finals

17 January - AFCON Third place play-off

17 January - Manchester United vs Man City

18 January - AFCON Final

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