A positive glow surroundsManchester Unitedat the moment, but managerRuben Amorimfaces a headache in December when the Africa Cup of Nations is played.
For the first time in a long time things are looking up for the Red Devils thanks to threePremier Leaguewins on the spin.
An entertaining 4-2 victoryoverBrightonon Saturday came after a famous win atLiverpooland a fairly routine home success against Sunderland.
Now sitting sixth in the Premier League table,Ruben Amorim’s side is still a long way from where he wants it to be, but it appears to be heading in the right direction.
Bryan Mbeumoscored twice against the Seagulls at the weekend and hasbeen a big part of the recent improvement.
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Amad Diallohas also impressed under Amorim, taking to his right wing-back slot and seemingly forming a bond with Mbeumo.
In a blow for Manchester United, both will be heading off to play inAFCONin December and will be unavailable for selection for a period of time.
Mbeumo’s Cameroon and Amad’s Ivory Coast are in the same Group F of the Africa Cup of Nations, so the Manchester United stars will likely be playing against each other when their countries meet in Marrakesh.
When is the Africa Cup of Nations?
The tournament runs from December 21 to January 18, held in Morocco.
The bookmakers make the host nation clear favourites to win the tournament, with the likes of Algeria, Egypt and Senegal considered contenders.
Cameroon and Ivory Coast fixtures
Group F
Ivory Coast
Dec 24: Mozambique
Dec 28: Cameroon
Dec 31: Gabon
Cameroon
Dec 24: Gabon
Dec 28: Ivory Coast
Dec 31: Mozambique
Knockout schedule
Jan 3-6: Round of 16
Jan 9-10: QFs
Jan 14: SFs
Jan 17: Third place play-off
Jan 18: Final
Clearly the amount of Manchester United fixtures the players will miss depends on how well their nations do in Morocco.
Unfortunately for the Red Devils, if they progress as the top two countries in Group F then they will be on opposite sides of the knockout stage draw, so defending champions Ivory Coast and Cameroon could go all the way to meet in the final.
When the players will be called to join the training camps is also not clear, as yet, with clubs hopeful they can keep their men as long as possible.
Which Man Utd games will Mbeumo and Amad miss?
Currently the only games that clash with AFCON fixtures are Newcastle (h) on December 27 and Wolves (h) on December 30.
However, Aston Villa (a) on December 21 is so close to the start of the tournament that both players are very likely to miss that fixture. Bournemouth (h) on December 15 may be up for discussion between club and countries.
Then all depends on how well Cameroon and Ivory Coast do, with four more games across the Premier League and FA Cup in danger.
Certain to miss
Dec 27: Newcastle (h)
Dec 30: Wolves (h)
Possible clashes
Dec 15: Bournemouth (h)
Dec 21: Aston Villa (a)
Jan 03: Leeds (a)
Jan 07: Burnley (a)
Jan 10: FA Cup third round
Jan 17: Man City (h)
