Amorim: ‘Absence of AFCON-bound trio United’s blessing’

Manchester United manager Reuben Amorim has explained why the absence of his team’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)-bound trio is a blessing in disguise.

Most teams in Europe and beyond are bracing for life without the African players bound for the competition scheduled for Morocco later in December.

United are among the teams that will, during the AFCON window, be denied the services of Ivorian star Amad Diallo, Cameroonian Bryan Mbeumo and Moroccan Noussair Mazraoui.

Speaking ahead of Monday’s Premier League game against Bournemouth FC, Amorim highlighted what the absence of the Africans mean to the Red Devils.

The Portuguese mentor said United play in a certain way with Amad, Mbeumo and Noussair Mazraoui in the squad.

“I think we need to adapt a little bit the way we are going to play the games. That is a good opportunity to do that because we cannot think that we are going to play the same way without Amad, Bryan,” Amorim told the club’s website.

What absence of Africans mean to United

The manager, therefore, added that the absence of the AFCON trio presents United an opportunity to play in a different way.

“But especially Amad and Bryan because of the characteristics that is really hard to get. They have more or less the same characteristics, both of them, and we are losing them for a few games. But it’s a good opportunity for us to try and play in a different way,” he said.

AFCON will run from December 21 to January 18 with 24 teams battling it out for honours and pride.

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