Ruben Amorim has conceded that Manchester United will ‘struggle’ when Bryan Mbeumo and Amad depart for the Africa Cup of Nations. The dynamic duo, who combined to score against Liverpool at Anfield, have been praised by Amorim for their growing partnership, particularly after the recent victory over Brighton.
The Africa Cup of Nations is scheduled from 21 December to 18 January, with Mbeumo set to represent Cameroon and Amad playing for Ivory Coast. Speaking at Carrington on Thursday afternoon, Amorim was asked about the impact of losing the pair.
“We will have time to suffer,” he joked, adding: “We are going to struggle a little bit, but we already knew it’s going to be an opportunity.
“When I watch the training, there are players that should be playing.”
“But it’s hard with one game to take some players from the team, because they are doing well also during the training in games. So other players are going to have the opportunity to help us.
“They are understanding the way we want to play, so if we are improving on that, the change of characteristics is not going to change the idea or the momentum of the team. But let’s use Amad and Bryan in these games and we will see in general.”
Following the Brighton win, Amorim said of Mbeumo: “He’s a working machine. He’s so good in transitions. He’s improving when we are organising the final third.
“The connection with Amad is really hard to beat these two guys because they change positions. They are really fast, they are good in one against one.
“My role [in signing Mbeumo] was as a manager to explain what I want from him but it was more the club and you guys. We can struggle a lot but it’s Manchester United.
“When Manchester United is there… and when we feel that this player wants to come here, no matter what, no matter what the position, no matter if it’s Champions League or not, we also give everything to bring these kind of guys and that was the case.”
Mbeumo has scored five goals in all competitions for United since arriving from Brentford in the summer.
