Not long ago, Crickex Affiliate reports have revealed a growing concern at Manchester United as winger Bryan Mbeumo faces a potential six-week absence due to his participation in the Africa Cup of Nations. The £71 million signing has been in outstanding form this season, scoring five goals and recently earning the Premier League’s Player of the Month award for October. However, the next two months could be complicated for both player and club, as Cameroon’s international schedule intensifies. The national team will first compete in World Cup playoff qualifiers this month, followed by the Africa Cup of Nations, which kicks off on December 21.

Mbeumo is eager to represent Cameroon, marking his first appearance at the continental tournament after missing the last edition through injury. Yet, he also hopes for an agreement between Manchester United and the Cameroonian Football Federation regarding his release date to avoid conflict between club and country. FIFA’s regulations require clubs to release players two weeks before major international tournaments, giving national teams sufficient time to prepare. If enforced strictly, United could be without Mbeumo, Amad Diallo, and Noussair Mazraoui for up to six weeks—an absence that would heavily impact their attacking options.

Following that rule would mean United’s African players might miss several key fixtures, including league clashes against Wolves on December 8, Bournemouth on December 15, and Aston Villa on December 21. To mitigate that, many European clubs are negotiating with African federations to delay player departures and reduce preparation time. According to sources cited by Crickex Affiliate, United are expected to push for Mbeumo’s release only after the Villa match, though that could strain relations with Cameroon’s camp. Reports suggest United executives plan to meet Cameroonian officials in Morocco next week to discuss the situation before World Cup qualifiers begin.

The issue recalls the controversy before the last AFCON, when goalkeeper André Onana delayed his departure to play for Manchester United, only to be benched by Cameroon for their opening group match against Guinea. Then-coach Rigobert Song was reportedly furious that Onana had played a Premier League match for Tottenham less than 24 hours earlier. Both player and team struggled afterward, crashing out in the group stage. Determined not to repeat that history, Mbeumo wants clear communication and balance—ensuring neither Manchester United nor Cameroon feels shortchanged.

Among all players potentially affected, Mbeumo’s absence would hit the hardest. His consistent performances have made him a cornerstone of United’s attack, blending sharp pace with calm finishing. Even Tottenham manager Thomas Frank, who coached Mbeumo at Brentford and now leads Spurs, recently praised the 26-year-old as a role model for developing players like Brennan Johnson. From a Ligue 2 hopeful to one of the Premier League’s standout forwards, Mbeumo’s rise is proof that talent and hard work can rewrite any story.

Crickex Affiliate fans now wait to see how the situation unfolds. If Cameroon advance deep into the tournament—alongside favorites such as Ivory Coast and Morocco—United could be without several key players deep into January. For Mbeumo, the challenge ahead isn’t just on the pitch but in balancing loyalty between his club and country.