Man Utd Receives Major Training Lift Before Blockbuster City Showdown
Manchester United gained a significant lift during Michael Carrick's inaugural training session as temporary manager, as Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo returned to the squad after their participation in the Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
The Red Devils have been missing both crucial players since their dramatic 4–4 stalemate with Bournemouth on December 15. Following elimination in the quarter-finals for Mbeumo's Cameroon and Amad's Ivory Coast on Friday and Saturday respectively, both athletes are now back at Carrington.
Mbeumo featured in all matches for Cameroon, though he failed to score, and suffered defeat against tournament hosts and favorites Morocco in the quarter-final stage. Meanwhile, Amad netted three goals for the Elephants but couldn't help avoid elimination against Mohamed Salah's Egypt.
Following their journey from North Africa, both attackers participated in Wednesday's training session. With two additional practice sessions scheduled before United welcome cross-town rivals City for the season's second Manchester derby on Saturday, there's potential for both players to feature in Carrick's debut match as manager.
United continue to be without Noussair Mazraoui, who departed prior to the Bournemouth fixture. His Morocco team faces Nigeria in Wednesday evening's second semi-final. He will remain unavailable at least through the weekend, regardless of the Atlas Lions' progression, as losing semi-finalists must participate in Saturday's third-place playoff. The AFCON championship match is scheduled for Sunday, January 18.
Why Mbeumo, Amad Returns Are Important for Man Utd
Why Mbeumo, Amad Returns Are Important for Man Utd
Since his arrival from Brentford in a transfer potentially worth £71 million ($95.5 million), Mbeumo has emerged as United's leading goalscorer with seven strikes across all competitions. His speed, attacking instinct and tendency to shoot quickly should appeal to Carrick, who experienced playing alongside an attacking trio of Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez during his initial years in a 12-season stint at Old Trafford.
Amad has contributed two goals and three assists this campaign but represents another example of an aggressive attacking player. The 23-year-old may also gain from an anticipated tactical shift away from the system he experienced under Ruben Amorim, having operated primarily as a wing-back rather than in an attacking role for much of the season.
It's telling that United have managed fewer than 1.2 goals per match during Mbeumo and Amad's absence, contrasted with 2.4 goals across nine games between the October international window and their AFCON departure just before Christmas.