Manchester United look like being one of the Premier League teams to be hit hardest by the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Red Devils have lost Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui for the coming couple of weeks at least. Given that is effectively the entire right-hand side of their first-choice XI, it’s a significant puzzle for head coach Ruben Amorim to solve.

As much as a successful time in Morocco could do wonders for the morale of their players amid another difficult season, United fans will likely hope that their trio are back in England as soon as possible, particularly given the hectic festive fixture schedule and some big games looming in January.

The Sporting News looks at the games Mbeumo will definitely miss and when he could be back at Amorim’s disposal.

MORE: Complete AFCON 2025 schedule and bracket

When is AFCON 2025?

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations will begin on December 21, contested for a month all the way up until the final on January 18.

Originally scheduled for this past June and July, AFCON was pushed back to the winter due to the 2025 Club World Cup scheduled for action in the United States over the same time.

When is Bryan Mbeumo back from AFCON?

All players will return to their clubs from Africa Cup of Nations duty once their team is eliminated from the competition, unless injury or other exception sees them depart early.

Cameroon would ordinarily be considered a major contender at any AFCON, but they have endured a troubled year. The five-time champions are embroiled in a chaotic dispute concerning FA president Samuel Eto’o and Marc Brys, the head coach who disputes his own dismissal. There is not even complete certainty over who is in the tournament squad, with two separate rosters announced as part of the ongoing feud.

With Cameroon drawn into a potentially tricky group alongside 2023 winners Ivory Coast, Gabon and Mozambique, it is hard to predict how well they will perform.

The earliest Mbeumo or any player could be back with their club would be the end of the group stage on December 31, so it’s safer for United fans to assume he will definitely miss three games and probably more like four or five.

MORE: Most successful teams in AFCON history

Cameroon AFCON schedule

Cameroon being their Group F campaign against Gabon on Christmas Eve, then Ivory Coast on December 28 and Mozambique on December 31.

Winning the group would see them face the runners-up of Group E (Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan) in the Round of 16. Second place in the group would mean a clash with the runners-up of Group B (Egypt, South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe). They could also progress as one of the four best third-place teams, in which case they would meet the winners of Group C or D, which could mean one of Egypt, Nigeria or Tunisia.

Group stage

Knockout stage

1st place finish in Group F

2nd place finish in Group F

When Bryan Mbeumo could return to Man United from AFCON

Mbeumo was granted special dispensation to play for United in their gripping 4-4 draw with Bournemouth on December 15, but he will now miss at least Premier League matches.

If Cameroon are knocked out in the group stage, Mbeumo would likely be available for United’s game at Leeds United on January 4. Should they progress all the way to the final, the forward would be unavailable for United for a further three matches, including the Manchester derby on January 17.

Man United schedule during AFCON

Matches Mbeumo is guaranteed to miss

Matches Mbeumo could potentially miss