Man Utd request to delay AFCON departure of irreplaceable Bryan Mbeumo

Tom Weber

• 8 Nov 2025 12:01 CST
• 3 min read

News

Manchester United winger Bryan Mbeumo is quickly becoming irreplaceable after yet more heroics for the Red Devils against Tottenham.

Ruben Amorim's men travelled down to North London on Saturday to take on Spurs in a must-win clash for both sides. Man Utd, who have been in decent form lately, were looking to show that recent results haven't been a fluke.

Spurs, meanwhile, desperately needed a win to change the mood heading into the international break after last week's dismal home loss to Chelsea. However, it initially looked as though it would be more of the same, with their players putting in an abject showing in the first half.

Mbeumo, who has been scintillating recently, opened the scoring in the 32nd minute, and Man Utd were cruising. In the second half, though, it was a repeat of last week's Nottingham Forest clash.

Tottenham grew into the game and not only managed to equalise - they even looked to have scored the winner in the 91st minute. Fortunately, Man Utd did what they did against Forest and managed to salvage a draw thanks to a Matthijs de Ligt header.

Mbeumo AFCON decision

Speaking after the game, Amorim insisted that his team deserved to win, but the truth is that Man Utd still suffer from the same defensive frailties that have plagued them throughout his tenure.

Without Mbeumo, Man Utd would be much worse off this season, so it is a worry that he is likely to be absent for a month from mid-December to mid-January due to the Africa Cup of Nations.

According to The Sun, it is not in doubt that the Cameroon international will take part in his first AFCON this winter, but he is leaving the date of his departure up to Man Utd and his country.

The report claims that Man Utd will request that Mbeumo be allowed to leave for Morocco as late as possible, similar to compatriot Andre Onana, who hopped on a plane immediately after playing for the Red Devils two years ago.

Clubs generally have to release players two weeks before the start of a major international tournament, but Man Utd want to have Mbeumo available until the day the competition starts on 21 December, which is the same day they play Aston Villa.

Although his heir apparent, Shea Lacey, is highly rated, the 18-year-old will struggle to replicate the summer signing's impact, which is why Man Utd are keen to delay Mbeumo's departure. Amad Diallo will also be at AFCON with the Ivory Coast.

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