Manchester United are reportedly plotting to delay the departures of three of their African stars ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

United are likely to be without Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon), Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast) and Moroccan defender Noussair Mazraoui for the tournament scheduled for December 2025 to January 2026.

Tournament regulations require United to release the trio two weeks before the first group games of Cameroon, Ivory Coast and Morocco.

That means they should depart around the Premier League fixture against Wolves at Molineux on 8 December.

Mazraoui’s Morocco will host the tournament and play the opening match against Comoros on December 21. Amad and Mbeumo begin their AFCON campaigns on December 24.

The final Is set for January 18, meaning the players could miss up to eight Premier League matches and an FA Cup third-round tie.

However, with Mbeumo and Amad both regular starters and Mazraoui now fit and providing defensive cover, Man United are attempting to push their release back until after the following league match against Bournemouth on December 15.

United manager Ruben Amorim confirmed discussions will be held with the national federations.

“We have the rules for when we have to release the players, but we are trying to keep the players a bit longer,” the Portuguese coach said.

“It is not just in our hands. We will see. We will try to arrange something with the federations.”

Even one extra match could prove crucial, as Amorim expects Benjamin Sesko, currently sidelined with a knee injury suffered at Tottenham on November 8, to recover around the same period.

If Sesko, Mbeumo and Amad were all absent simultaneously, United would face a major reshuffle in attack, with Joshua Zirkzee and Kobbie Mainoo, both used sparingly this season, potentially required.

“He’s going to be out for a few weeks,” Amorim said of Sesko. “It’s not that serious, and we have to be careful with him. I don’t want to say for sure, but when they go, I expect to have Ben back.” (BusinessDay)