Manchester United keep Bryan Mbeumo as forward opts out of Cameroon call-up over fitness

Manchester United forward Bryan Mbeumo has withdrawn from the Cameroon national team squad ahead of the current international break, electing to remain in Manchester to manage ongoing fitness concerns.

The decision, described as a “precautionary measure,” ensures the attacker can undergo specialized recovery at the club’s Carrington training base rather than participating in Cameroon’s upcoming friendly fixtures.

The fitness concerns arose following United’s 2-2 draw against Bournemouth last Friday, where Mbeumo was substituted in the 71st minute.

While the injury is not believed to be severe, the club’s medical staff advised against the stress of international travel to allow the player to be at full strength for the final stretch of the Premier League season.

This cautious approach is particularly vital for United, as Mbeumo currently serves as the team’s joint top scorer and a focal point of manager Michael Carrick’s offensive strategy.

By staying behind, Mbeumo will miss Cameroon’s friendly matches against Australia and China. These fixtures carry less competitive weight given that Cameroon did not qualify for the 2026 World Cup, providing a natural window for the forward to prioritize his domestic availability.

Mbeumo is not the only United star focusing on recovery this week; teammate Benjamin Šeško also withdrew from the Slovenia squad to manage a persistent fitness issue.

Manchester United supporters will be encouraged by the news that the club expects Mbeumo to be fully fit for their next league outing.

The Red Devils are scheduled to face Leeds United at Old Trafford on April 13. With the race for European spots intensifying, having a healthy Mbeumo back in the lineup remains a top priority for Carrick as he looks to maintain the team’s momentum heading into the business end of the campaign.