AFCON is wreaking havoc for Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United, but the players are thriving for their national teams.
After Noussair Mazraoui kicked off AFCON for Morocco with an assist in a win, Amad and Bryan Mbeumo have continued that momentum.
Amad scored for the Ivory Coast, their only goal in a 1-0 win against Mozambique, while Bryan Mbeumo was a creative force against Gabon.
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With the first matchweek in the books, all three United players have a win on the board, and Man Utd fans are stuck in a bittersweet territory.
Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP via Getty ImagesAmad and Bryan Mbeumo are unstoppable at AFCON
Ivory Coast and Cameroon are blessed with plenty of talent, but none are more high-profile than Amad and Mbeumo, respectively.
Coincidentally, they are in the same group, so they will face each other as well, but in the meantime, they are wreaking havoc on hapless opponents.
Amad was the player of the match in his team’s win against Mozambique, playing as a right-winger and scoring the only goal of the game.
He also created three chances in addition to his goal, with a passing accuracy of 91%, summing up a brilliant day at the office for the player.
Mbeumo wasn’t much different, as he made up for his lack of goals by becoming the creator-in-chief for this side.
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He created a remarkable six chances while playing as an attacking midfielder, assisting Etta Eyong’s goal that proved to be the winner in a 1-0 win.
Man Utd fans were left with a bittersweet feeling as both players won the player of the match award, but it might come at the cost of club success.
Man Utd fans on Amad and Mbeumo
Amad and Mbeumo were always expected to be the biggest misses, and their performance to start off AFCON has only lent further credence to that claim.
United fans gave the pair their flowers but also expressed despair that their good performances inevitably mean they will return to Carrington later.
“They not coming back anytime soon aren’t they?” asked one rhetorically, as another said, “Wrap it up now guys. We need you back”.
“Oddly as much as I want them to do well, I can’t help but pray for their loss in group stage,” remarked another cheekily.
“Let’s get real, the quicker they’re knocked out the better,” said one fan with brutal honesty, as another took a more hilarious turn, saying, “Good showing today lad never been prouder just remember every game you got left smash it in your own net cheers.”
One fan had made peace with the fact that both will go all the way, writing, “Yep, they’ll be back in February…”
Interestingly, their next game at AFCON is against each other, as the Ivory Coast face Cameroon on Sunday, December 28.
Considering their current form, it might as well be called Man Utd’s right-side derby.
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