Ruben Amorim is set to lose a number of starting stars as the Africa Cup of Nations gets underway next month, but the Portuguese tactician may have a number of temporary replacements in reserve
19:59, 22 Nov 2025
Ruben Amorim will have to replace starting players of his Manchester United squad during AFCON(Image: Zohaib Alam – MUFC, Manchester United via Getty Images)
Ruben Amorim could look to Manchester United’s youth ranks for solutions, as several key players are set to depart for the Africa Cup of Nations.
The tournament kicks off on 21 December and runs until 18 January. A host of top Premier League stars will be leaving their clubs to represent their countries during the period, and for Amorim, this could mean losing vital players like £71million star man Bryan Mbeumo, Amad and Noussair Mazraoui for potentially an entire month.
The United boss is reportedly trying to keep them at the club for as long as possible before the tournament begins. When star players leave, it provides an opportunity for others to showcase their skills, and according to the Manchester Evening News, Amorim is turning his attention to the academy.
He said: “It is a circumstance that we already knew, but it is an opportunity for other players. We also have the Under-21s and we need to also send a message in that time, so we will see. But of course, it is not ideal because they [Amad, Mazraoui and Mbeumo] are so important in our team and we don’t have a long squad. But our Academy is for this moment, and we will be ready.”
With this in mind, Daily Star Sport takes a look at some of the academy prospects who could fill in for the departing AFCON stars over the festive season.
Shea Lacey – Bryan Mbeumo
At just 18, Lacey has already shown his footballing talent both in United’s academy teams and on the international stage. He has represented England at U15, U16, U17 and most recently U20 level, reports the Mirror.
Shea Lacey could make a perfect temporary replacement for Bryan Mbeumo(Image: Manchester United, Manchester United via Getty Images)
For United, he made his U18 debut when he was just 15 and now regularly takes to the pitch for the U21s. When it comes to filling the boots of Mbeumo, the young player brings speed and flair to the right wing.
Lacey also has the capacity to shift into an attacking midfield role, a quality that will surely please Amorim. While he may lack Mbeumo’s physical presence, Lacey makes up for it with his agility and technical prowess, easily gliding past defenders. He has also gained a reputation as a free-kick specialist at academy level.
Bendito Mantato – Amad
Mantato has been part of the United family since he was a mere nine years old. Now 18, he has demonstrated his ability in high-pressure situations, including scoring a last-minute winner to beat Arsenal in the FA Youth Cup quarterfinals earlier this year.
Bendito Mantato has impressed for club and country at youth(Image: Simon Holmes – The FA, The FA via Getty Images)
Born and raised in Manchester, Mantato can play as either a forward or full-back. This versatility fits seamlessly into Amorim’s strategy, which uses a back three and two attack-minded full-backs who push forward during counter-attacks.
Similar to £32.5m star Amad, Mantato possesses excellent dribbling skills and explosive pace along the wing. These attributes, combined with his adaptability, position him as an ideal candidate to bridge the gap during Amad’s temporary absence.
Jaydan Kamason – Noussair Mazraoui
Kamason made history as the first player from United’s Emerging Talent Programme to earn a professional contract. Former U18 head coach Adam Lawrence explained to The Athletic that his role is “predominantly as a full-back, but he likes to get forward and can affect the game higher up the pitch.”
Jaydan Kamason has impressed in his budding career(Image: Manchester United, Manchester United via Getty Images)
This description fits perfectly with the type of full-back Amorim relies upon. Kamason has the talent to drive forward, beat defenders and deliver dangerous crosses – skills that would complement Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha brilliantly.
He has also shown his ability to handle the physical challenges of defending while transitioning smoothly between defensive and attacking phases, making him a potential perfect temporary replacement for a £17.6m Mazraoui.
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