How Man United's £495m line-up could look in January as Ruben Amorim braces for AFCON exits
Man United look set to see three major players leaving for international duty at AFCON in December and January.
Ruben Amorim seems to have finally found a consistent starting XI that has been putting in good performances. United won 4-2 against Brighton over the weekend, which was their third win in a row in the league for the first time under the Portuguese manager.
United are now up to sixth in the Premier League table, and Amorim’s team seem to be gelling. However, the United boss will be conscious that three major players will be leaving in December as the Africa Cup of Nations starts on Sunday, 21 December, running all the way until Sunday, 18 January.
Noussair Mazraoui will be playing for Morocco, Amad Diallo will feature for Ivory Coast, and the hero against Brighton, Bryan Mbeumo, will spearhead the Cameroon attack at the competition. Seeing as all three nations are among the favourites for the competition, United could be missing the trio for a lengthy period, so how could Amorim’s starting XI line up whilst they are gone?
Ruben Amorim’s defence remains unchanged
GK - Senne Lammens (£18.2m). CB - Leny Yoro, Matthijs De Ligt, Luke Shaw (£128.8m)
Firstly, Amorim’s defence remains the same from the past few games despite the fact that Mazraoui won’t be available. The Moroccan defender has been playing for United in the back three, but he has had injury problems this season and hasn’t been able to usurp the likes of Yoro and Shaw, who have performed well recently.
It’s also important to remember that during AFCON, Lisandro Martinez could return from his ACL injury, giving Amorim yet another option in defence.
Dorgu replaces Amad in the wing-back role
WB - Patrick Dorgu, Diogo Dalot (£44m). CM - Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro (£107m)
In terms of midfield, Amad Diallo has been playing in one of the wing-back roles in recent weeks, with Diogo Dalot playing on the other side. Amad had linked up well with Bryan Mbeumo on the right, but when he is gone, you would expect Patrick Dorgu to reclaim his spot in the starting XI.
We could also see summer signing Diego Leon get more of a chance in Diallo’s absence, the Paraguayan wing-back is yet to make an appearance for United this season since joining from Cerro Porteno.
Mason Mount set to replace Mbuemo in attack
CAM - Mason Mount, Matheus Cunha (£122.5m). ST - Benjamin Sesko (£74m)
Mbeumo has become a key player for United. You could argue their best signing under Amorim so far, but he will be a big miss in attack. On the plus side, Mason Mount has performed well when asked this season, so you would expect Amorim to slot the English midfielder into the attack.
If Mount or Cunha suffers an injury, Amorim may be forced to play Bruno Fernandes back in an attacking role, and start one of Kobbie Mainoo or Manuel Ugarte alongside Casemiro in the holding midfield role. The Red Devils may also look to add more midfield depth in the January transfer window.