Two of Manchester United’s standout players this season are heading to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), and Paul Parker has described it as a “true nightmare” for the club, admitting he struggles to see how they will cope without them.
Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo will represent Cameroon and Ivory Coast, respectively, at AFCON. This means Manchester United will be without the pair for the remainder of December and large parts of January.
Between them, they have scored eight goals and provided three assists in the Premier League this season, but they will need to continue to perform consistently to a high level if the club are going to achieve any success this season. Man United will also be without defender Noussair Mazraoui, who has been selected for Morocco. The full-back has already headed to AFCON and missed the dramatic 4-4 draw with Bournemouth on Monday night.
In an exclusive interview with MyBettingSites.co.uk, former Manchester United star Paul Parker expressed his concerns for the club’s performances over this upcoming period.
Impossible to cope with their absence
The loss of Mbeumo will be immense according to Paul Parker, who calls the Cameroonian one of the best players in the league.
Speaking about Mbeumo’s absence, Parker said: “It is impossible for Man United to cope with the loss of Mbeumo when he leaves for the AFCON. They simply can’t. They have no one close to his level, so they will struggle without him.”
“He is going to be a massive miss, and I can’t see how they can do anything without him. We have to remember that he is one of the best players in the league, and he is definitely the best player from Manchester United.”
Commenting on possible replacements, Parker said: “He is seriously scary on that right hand side, but who should replace him? Amad Diallo is gone as well. Will they play Mason Mount or Zirkzee there? Gosh, I can’t imagine how that is going to look.”
It will be a true nightmare
Amad Diallo will be missing as well, which could lead to Man United being forced to change their approach, according to Parker.
Parker also spoke about Diallo heading to AFCON and said: “Of course, Amad will be a massive miss as well. Man United might have to change their whole approach, because nothing will come from that right hand side without them.”
“Amad is a big threat and we can see that in every game. No one is able to take on their opponent like him, so no one can replace him.”
Parker concluded the interview with MyBettingSites.co.uk by further expressing his concerns as he said: “Combined with both of them being out, that is going to be a nightmare. It will be a true nightmare, and I don’t really have faith that other players can step up to their level, which is normally expected at a big club like Manchester United”.
The first two matches coming up for Manchester United is Aston Villa away and Newcastle at home, before three more favourable matches against Wolves, Leeds and Burnley and this fixture run will be a huge test for Ruben Amorim and the rest of the Man United squad.
