Bryan Mbeumo, Amad and Noussair Mazraoui might feature for Manchester United against Bournemouth on Monday before they head to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)
Manchester United appear to have hinted that Bryan Mbeumo is going to be available against Bournemouth on Monday, after showing him in training with his teammates.
United have kept the availability of Mbeumo, Amad and Noussair Mazraoui under wraps as they prepare to face the Cherries at Old Trafford. The trio are set to depart for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) next week, but there is still some uncertainty about whether they will play against Andoni Iraola’s side.
FIFA set a release date of Monday, December 15 for clubs to release players for the tournament, which begins on Saturday, December 21, but that caused issues for United as their clash with Cherries takes place on Monday.
It’s understood United officials have held talks with the federations of Cameroon, Ivory Coast and Morocco over all three players to try and secure an extension and allow them to play Bournemouth before heading to AFCON.
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But now, United appear to have dropped the biggest hint yet that Mbeumo, in particular, is going to feature against Bournemouth. Indeed, United posted a picture of Mbeumo in training on Instagram on Sunday morning.
Alongside three images of Mbeumo smiling in training with his teammates, United said in a caption: “BM19 [beaming face with smiling eyes emoji, white love heart emoji].”
Fans flooded to the comments section to drop a prediction on Mbeumo’s performance against Bournemouth, should he feature for United on Monday.
One said: “Goal and assists tomorrow [fire emoji].” Another wrote: “Last dance for Mbeumo and Amad [raised hands emoji].” A third said: “Sign off with goals tomorrow, before going for the AFCON.”
A fourth added: “Yep, bro is scoring a hat-trick tomorrow.” “Mbeumo to score hat trick tomorrow,” a fifth put.
Speaking in his pre-Bournemouth press conference, United head coach Ruben Amorim said of Mbeumo, Amad and Mazraoui: “We are still in conversations with national team, the games in Monday, they are training and we are trying to prepare all scenarios.
“It’s frustrating but at the same time nobody knows who is going to play, so it’s a good thing. We have players to cope with everything. With a long week you can work on several stuff to prepare the game.”
Amorim hinted on Friday that United might look to use the situation to their advantage, adding: “Every national team has their ideas about when they want the players. I expect today [Friday] or maybe tomorrow [Saturday] to have a decision but we are waiting until the last moment to choose the best team.”
United will move up to fifth in the Premier League table with a win against Bournemouth. The Reds, who beat Wolves 4-1 last time out, are on a run of just ONE defeat in nine top-flight fixtures.
