Paul Parker believes that Bryan Mbeumo has already become ‘irreplaceable’ under Ruben Amorim and fears for Manchester United when the forward leaves for the AFCON.
United signed Mbeumo from Brentford for £65million over the summer as they sought to refresh their attacking options following a dismal season in front of goal.
Mbeumo arrived at Old Trafford along with Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha, but it has been the Cameroon international who has adapted quickest to life at his new club.
The 26-year-old has scored five times, the most of any United player, and provided one assist in his 12 Premier League appearances.
However, with next month’s African Cup of Nations fast approaching, United are braced for the departure of Mbeumo, as well as Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui.
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And former United full-back Parker believes that Mbeumo’s departure, in particular, could prove a ‘nightmare’ for Amorim, given how crucial he has proved in the early part of the season.
‘It is impossible for Man United to cope with the loss of Mbeumo when he leaves for the AFCON. They simply can’t,’ he told MyBettingSites.co.uk.
‘They have no one close to his level, so they will struggle without him.
‘He is going to be a massive miss, and I can’t see how they can do anything without him. He is one of the best players in the league, and he is definitely the best player for Manchester United.
‘He is seriously scary on that right-hand side, but who should replace him? Amad Diallo is gone as well. Will they play Mason Mount or Zirkzee there? Gosh, I can’t imagine how that is going to look.’
Parker also thinks the departure of Amad will be a blow for United, adding: ‘Amad will be a massive miss as well.
‘Man United might have to change their whole approach, because nothing will come from that right-hand side without them.
‘Amad is a big threat, and we can see that in every game. No one is able to take on their opponent like him, so no one can replace him.
‘Combined with both of them being out, that is going to be a nightmare. A true nightmare. I don’t really have faith that other players can step up to their level, which is normally expected at a big club like Manchester United.’
Tournament regulations dictate that clubs should release all players two weeks before their first games of the tournament, meaning Amorim could be without the trio for their clash with Wolves on December 8.
However, United are planning to speak with the players’ national federations in a bid to delay the departure.
‘We have the rules for when we have to release the players [but] we are trying to have the players a bit longer,’ Amorim confirmed.
‘It is not just in our hands. We will see. We will try to arrange something with the federations.’
United travel to face Crystal Palace on Sunday as they look to bounce back from a dispiriting defeat to ten-man Everton on Monday.
Amorim’s side now sit tenth in the table, although they are still only three points off the top four.
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