Man Utd will lose three players during the Africa Cup of Nations, which is set to begin next month.
Manchester United are preparing to lose Bryan Mbeumo, Amad and Noussair Mazraoui during the Africa Cup of Nations. The tournament in Morocco begins on December 21 and ends on January 18, meaning United’s trio could miss up to six Premier League fixtures, depending on how far their nations progress.
Furthermore, United will be in FA Cup third round action on the weekend of January 10, another fixture those players could be ruled out of.
Ruben Amorim was asked about AFCON at a recent press conference and said: “We have time to suffer with that. We are going to struggle a little bit, but we already knew [that].
“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 also, during training and the games.
“Other players are going to have the opportunity to help us, they are understanding the way we want to play. The change of characteristics are not going to change the idea or the momentum of the team, but let’s use Amad and Bryan in these games and then we will see in January.”
Amorim will have the option of promoting young players in the absence of Mbeumo, Amad and Mazraoui, but which academy players have a chance of contributing to the first team?
We’ve taken a closer look at three young players who could be handed a chance to impress.
Shea Lacey
Lacey is pushing towards making a senior debut this season. The youngster has always been one of the most highly regarded talents in his age group and he has consistently performed in this campaign.
The 18-year-old missed some time on the pitch last term because staff were carefully handling him to prevent injury. Lacey is making up for lost time, though, and recently trained with England’s first team, joining a session led by Thomas Tuchel to supplement the numbers at St. George’s Park.
“Everybody in the world knows about Shea Lacey,” said United Under-21 manager Travis Binnion in September. The forward has huge potential and could play in the No.10 role when Mbeumo travels to AFCON.
Lacey featured during the post-season tour, coming on from the bench against ASEAN All-Stars and starting against Hong Kong. He’s been in excellent form in academy matches and scored for England Under-20s last week, so he’s becoming increasingly difficult for Amorim to ignore.
Jack Fletcher
Kobbie Mainoo was ruled out of facing Tottenham before the international break due to a knock, which opened the door for Jack Fletcher to come into the first-team squad in London.
Fletcher’s inclusion continued United’s 88-year record of naming an academy graduate in every matchday squad, but it was deserved, and he would have been able to contribute had he been called upon.
Darren Fletcher’s son has made great progress since joining from Manchester City‘s academy two years ago. Fletcher has acquitted himself well against senior opposition in the EFL Trophy and National League Cup, which indicates he could make the step up at United when AFCON takes place.
Fletcher is a versatile midfielder and could operate in one of the No.10 roles. He was named on the bench on seven occasions last season and will be hopeful of making his senior bow.
Bendito Mantato
Mantato’s chances of breaking into the first team increased when Amorim was appointed because he would fit into the United head coach’s system seamlessly.
The youngster used to play at left-back in academy fixtures, but he gradually progressed to predominantly play on the right wing and his style has already led to comparisons with Bukayo Saka, who also started his career as a defender before developing into an attacking player.
Mantato came on from the bench against Leeds in the opening pre-season friendly of the summer in Stockholm. He has participated in first-team training sessions and could potentially slot into Amad’s role.
His versatility is a strength, and he would not look out of place at right wing-back. Diogo Dalot is the favourite to start in that role while AFCON is ongoing, but Mantato may make an appearance from the bench.
