No Lacey, Dalot & Mount in: Predicted Man Utd XI under Amorim during AFCON

Manchester United are bracing themselves for a major selection headache, with three key players set to be absent for multiple weeks due to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Bryan Mbeumo has already been named in Cameroon’s 28-man squad. Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui are also expected to be officially part of the respective national teams.

AFCON runs from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026, meaning United could lose all three players for a crucial stretch of the season.

United manager Ruben Amorim will be forced to make changes to his side, but he must ensure the team can still secure positive results.

Amorim has shown stubborness with his selections and here we look at how he could line up Man United during AFCON.

Goalkeeper

Senne Lammens

The goalkeeping department remains untouched during AFCON.

Lammens has stabilised the last line of defence by not making errors like Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir.

He should retain his spot between the sticks.

Defence

Matthijs de Ligt, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez

Harry Maguire suffered a hamstring injury in November and has yet to feature since then.

If he is able to regain full fitness, he should start at the heart of the back three.

Noussair Mazraoui performed superbly in the right-sided centre-back spot against West Ham United. He should be replaced by Matthijs de Ligt.

Leny Yoro will be a strong option off the bench.

Lisandro Martinez has returned to action with two substitute cameos, and he will reclaim his spot on the left side of the defence once fully sharp.

Wing-backs

Diogo Dalot, Luke Shaw

Martinez’s return should naturally push Luke Shaw into the left wing-back role, where his superb delivery and driving runs can open up stubborn defences.

Amad Diallo has looked dangerous in the right wing-back spot but his absence could force Amorim to deploy Dalot in that position.

Dalot has struggled for consistency, and he will have big shoes to fill for the next few weeks.

Midfield

Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes

Amorim has stuck religiously to Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes as his midfield pairing, and nothing suggests that will change during AFCON.

Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte are both expected to remain on the fringes.

Attack

Mason Mount, Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko

The United faithful will expect Amorim to show faith in Shea Lacey. We do not see that happening based on his decisions over the last 12 months.

Matheus Cunha will be United’s main man in the absence of Bryan Mbeumo.

Mason Mount remains a favourite of Amorim, and with two attackers missing, he is almost guaranteed a bigger role.

Benjamin Sesko is expected to return this month and will be tasked with leading the line, with Joshua Zirkzee serving as an option from the bench.

Article written by Sanidhya Bhardwaj .