{"id":506136,"date":"2026-01-10T12:37:12","date_gmt":"2026-01-10T12:37:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/506136\/"},"modified":"2026-01-10T12:37:12","modified_gmt":"2026-01-10T12:37:12","slug":"man-united-handed-huge-boost-as-afcon-star-is-knocked-out-by-team-mate-and-will-be-back-for-manchester-derby","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/506136\/","title":{"rendered":"Man United handed huge boost as AFCON star is knocked out by team-mate – and will be back for Manchester derby"},"content":{"rendered":"

By WILL GRIFFEE<\/a> <\/p>\n

Published: 16:26 EST, 9 January 2026 | Updated: 04:42 EST, 10 January 2026 <\/p>\n

Manchester United have been given a huge boost after Bryan Mbeumo’s Cameroon were knocked out by club team-mate\u00a0Noussair Mazraoui and Morocco at AFCON<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In the quarter-final clash, the hosts progressed to the last four by beating the five-time winners of the tournament.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Either way, Man United would have had one of their players jetting home to resume Premier League<\/a> duties and it is Mbeumo who will be coming back.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The news will be a boost to caretaker manager Darren Fletcher, though it remains to be seen whether he will still be in charge by the time the former Brentford<\/a> man plays his next game.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Goals from Brahim Diaz<\/a> and\u00a0Ismael Saibari dumped Mbeumo and Co out of the tournament at\u00a0Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah on Friday night.<\/p>\n

Man United face local rivals Man City<\/a> next Saturday in the early kick-off at Old Trafford.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Bryan <\/p>\n

Bryan Mbeumo (left) was knocked out of AFCON by Man United team-mate Noussair Mazraoui<\/p>\n

Mbeumo, 26, has started well at United in his first season with the club, netting six Premier League goals so far and it seems likely he’ll slot straight back into the starting line-up.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Mazraoui will remain at AFCON as the host nation attempt to pull off a victory to thrill the home fans and they’re just two wins away.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Since the United players left for AFCON, United have sacked manager Ruben Amorim and are currently weighing up their interim options.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Co are deciding between Michael Carrick and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with current temporary boss Fletcher also having an outside chance.\u00a0<\/p>\n

As Daily Mail Sport reported, Solskjaer<\/a> will hold face-to-face talks with Manchester United<\/a>\u00a0on Saturday.<\/p>\n

Carrick, 44, met with chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox in person on Thursday, and Solskjaer will have his interview at Carrington on Saturday.<\/p>\n

It will be his first face-to-face meeting with the club\u2019s hierarchy since Amorim was sacked.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Despite speculation the 52-year-old United legend is the favourite, the club have been giving serious consideration to Carrick who was Solskjaer\u2019s first-team coach when he was manager between 2018 and 2021, and stepped in as caretaker after he was sacked. The notion of them working together again has now been dismissed.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s understood that Fletcher has also made a good impression since stepping up from Under-18s coach to take temporary charge.<\/p>\n

The 41-year-old Scot oversaw Wednesday\u2019s 2-2 draw at Burnley and will be in the dugout for Sunday’s FA Cup tie against Brighton at Old Trafford.<\/p>\n

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