We are ready to cope – Manchester United coach Rubin Amorim on losing African trio for AFCON 2025

Manchester United manager Rubin Amorim has opened on losing African trio of Amad Diallo, Bryan Mbeumo, and Noussair Mazraoui for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Morocco.

The trio will not be available for the Red Devils upcoming fixtures after departing to represent their respective countries at the continental showpiece in the North African country. Their departure comes at a crucial stage of Manchester United’s Premier League campaign, with the club pushing to secure qualification for European football next season.

Manchester United were forced to settle for a point on Monday night after an entertaining 4–4 draw with Bournemouth at Old Trafford.

Despite an impressive attacking display, defensive lapses proved costly and prevented the Red Devils from taking all three points. The result leaves Manchester United sixth in the Premier League table, level on points with seventh-placed Liverpool, as the battle for the European places continues to intensify.

“Amad and Mbeumo will go for the AFCON now. We will try to find a solution with the players that we have. We are ready to cope. We will try to find a way to score the goals in a different way.” Amorim said.

Diallo will represent defending champions, Ivory Coast, while in-form attacker Bryan Mbeumo is expected to feature for Cameroon at the tournament. Meanwhile, Noussair Mazraoui is set to play a huge role for the host country, Morocco.

The 35th edition of the continental showpiece has been scheduled to run from December 21 through to January 18, 2026, with 24 countries set to battle it out for the trophy.