Bryan Mbeumo’s impact at Manchester United is growing by the week. Mbeumo struck a second-half double in the 4-2 win over Brighton last weekend, taking his league tally to four and underlining why the club paid an initial £65million after his 20-goal Premier League season with Brentford.
Yet just as momentum builds, a spell on the sidelines beckons. The Cameroon international will depart in late December for the Africa Cup of Nations, leaving Ruben Amorim without a pivotal right-sided threat for at least two matches and potentially more, depending on his country’s progress.
Man United have clicked into gear with three straight Premier League victories. Preserving that rhythm without their in-form wide man is the next test.
Bryan Mbeumo Manchester United absence: what it means
Mbeumo operates to the right of a central striker, dovetailing with fellow newcomer Matheus Cunha. His movement stretches back lines and frees central space, a pattern that paid off against Brighton when he finished twice after the break.
Cameroon’s call-up ensures he will miss at least the clashes with Newcastle and Wolves while the group stage runs. Should Cameroon advance beyond the groups, with the final scheduled for 18 January, his absence could extend to at least three further fixtures, including the Manchester derby on 17 January.
For Amorim, the calculation is clear: replace Mbeumo’s direct running and end product, or reshape the attack to control matches without that outlet.
Cutting edge on the right as Brighton brace underlines form
Bryan Mbeumo looks a shrewd signing already. His Brighton brace showcased timing and composure, the same qualities that delivered 20 top-flight goals last year. He now has four league strikes for Man United and is trending up as he settles into Amorim’s structure.
The fit is obvious. Stationed wide right, he threatens on the outside and arrives late in the box. That dual threat forces defensive choices and opens lanes for teammates. It is why his temporary absence will be felt beyond pure goals; it alters how opponents defend United’s right flank.
Bryan Mbeumo AFCON schedule and potential return timeline
Cameroon begin their Africa Cup of Nations group stage on 24 December in Morocco, with the groups running through 31 December. That window rules Bryan Mbeumo out of Newcastle and Wolves at a minimum.
If Cameroon progress, the knockout rounds would keep him away deeper into January. The final falls on 18 January, and the Manchester derby arrives a day earlier on 17 January—another fixture he could miss if his nation go deep. The return date therefore hinges entirely on Cameroon’s path.
For Man United, the priority is continuity. Bank the points accrued during this surge, cover Mbeumo’s channel with disciplined structure, and be ready to plug him back in the moment he returns. Short-term pain, long-term gain remains the story of a signing already changing the attack’s profile.
