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MANCHESTER UNITED duo Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo are set to play for their countries in the opening round of AFCON on Christmas Eve.
The pair are likely to be missing for the Red Devils later this year, with both expected to be called up by Cameroon and Ivory Coast respectively.
The two attackers have linked up superbly for United in recent games during the team’s revival under Ruben Amorim.
But United are bracing to lose both players for the upcoming tournament showcasing the best talent in Africa.
And the competition is scheduled to start earlier than usual this year, with hosts Morocco kicking off the opener against Comoros on December 22.
AFCON is usually played at the start of the calendar year – except for in 2019 when it was scheduled for the summer.
Mbeumo’s Cameroon won’t start their campaign until December 24 as they face off against Gabon.
Diallo’s Ivory Coast are scheduled to play Mozambique on the same day, which will mean both players will be forced to sideline any Christmas Eve plans.
There won’t be any games scheduled on Christmas Day but the AFCON action will continue on Boxing Day.
Diallo and Mbeumo won’t feature on that day, but will later play each other in just the second round on December 28.
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Both Cameroon and Ivory Coast will be among the favourites to get out of Group F.
But it is Ivory Coast who will be desperate to retain their title after winning the 2023 editon.
The team beat Nigeria 2-1 in the last final thanks to goals from Sebastian Haller and Franck Kessie.
Now Diallo will be looking to follow in the footsteps of the country’s biggest stars such as Didier Drogba.
The 23-year-old has had a positive start to the season for United and grabbed his first assist of the season in their 2-1 win over Liverpool.
He has made seven starts in total in the Premier League and has formed a connetion with £70m signing Mbeumo – who has scored four times.
After the ex-Brentford man netted against Brighton in a 4-2 win on Saturday, he and Diallo performed their signature jig in front of the Stretford End.
The two have enjoyed a blossoming bromance at Old Trafford having also performed the dance during a pre-season win against Everton.
The pair have been mainstays in Amorim’s line-up this season and they have been crucial in United’s run of three successive wins.
The run started with a 2-0 win over Sunderland before securing that famous win at Liverpool.
The Red Devils then shrugged off a scare against Brighton after their 3-0 lead was cut to 3-2 – before Mbeumo hit his second goal of the day to make sure of the win.
