Man Utd Stars Return Just in Time to Shake Up Manchester Derby
Cameroon's elimination benefits Manchester United. Following their 2–0 quarterfinal defeat to host nation Morocco in Friday's Africa Cup of Nations match, Bryan Mbeumo will now be available for the upcoming high-stakes derby against Manchester City next weekend.
Much has transpired during Mbeumo's month-long international absence. Ruben Amorim's relationship with United's leadership deteriorated so dramatically that the club was compelled to dismiss the frustrated manager.
The Red Devils appointed emergency interim manager Darren Fletcher, though the former midfielder may well be succeeded by another temporary coach before Mbeumo takes the field in next Saturday's derby at Old Trafford.
Ole Gunnar Solskjær and Michael Carrick emerge as the primary candidates, and both would undoubtedly welcome Mbeumo's return. United secured victory in only one of their initial five matches without their leading goalscorer, struggling to defeat three teams currently languishing in the Premier League's bottom five.
Patrick Dorgu was deployed in a more offensive position and responded by netting his inaugural goal for the club while contributing two assists. Matheus Cunha managed to increase his seasonal tally with goals against Aston Villa and Leeds United—though neither resulted in victories.
Mbeumo hasn't appeared for United since the chaotic 4–4 stalemate with Bournemouth in mid-December, yet continues to lead the squad in goals, expected goals, shots on target, and penalty area touches. He also functions as one of the team's primary playmakers and consistently draws the team's focus forward through his persistent attacking runs.
Brighton & Hove Albion manager Fabian Hürzeler wasn't the only one to offer his brief evaluation of the £65 million ($87.2 million) transfer that brought Mbeumo to Old Trafford from Brentford this summer: "Money well invested."
Man Utd Still Sweating Over AFCON Absentees
Though United will welcome back Mbeumo, they must continue without Noussair Mazraoui until their visit to Arsenal's Emirates Stadium on Sunday, Jan. 25.
The Morocco defender completed the entire 90 minutes in Friday's 2–0 victory over Mbeumo's Cameroon. The tournament hosts, who entered as overwhelming favorites, prevented their opponents from registering a single shot on target, though Mbeumo did see a strong penalty claim dismissed.
Amad Diallo represents the third and final United player in the AFCON tournament and continues his participation in the competition. Only Morocco's Real Madrid striker Brahim Díaz has exceeded Ivory Coast's versatile winger's scoring record this winter, and he'll have the opportunity to add to his three-goal tally against Mohamed Salah's Egypt in Saturday's final quarterfinal.
The victor of that match will meet Senegal in a semifinal on Jan. 14, while Morocco is scheduled to face either Algeria or Nigeria on the same date. All four teams advancing beyond the quarterfinals are permitted to remain in Morocco until at least Jan. 17, when a third-place match is scheduled the day prior to the final.
