When is Amad Diallo back from AFCON? Projected return date for Man United’s Ivory Coast star
Manchester United have been one of the Premier League teams to be hit hardest by the Africa Cup of Nations.
The Red Devils have lost Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui for the tournament, and given that is effectively the entire right-hand side of their first-choice XI, it’s a significant puzzle for head coach Ruben Amorim to solve.
Diallo especially has been a big loss, as the Man United youngster has been impressive so far this season despite being hamstrung by playing wing-back in Ruben Amorim’s system.
As much as a successful time in Morocco could do wonders for the morale of their players amid another difficult season, United fans will likely hope that their trio are back in England as soon as possible, particularly given the hectic festive fixture schedule and some big games looming in January.
The Sporting News looks at the games Amad will definitely miss and when he could be back at Amorim’s disposal.
MORE: Most successful teams in AFCON history
When is AFCON 2025?
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations began on December 21 and is contested for a month all the way up until the final on January 18.
Originally scheduled for this past June and July, AFCON was pushed back to the winter due to the 2025 Club World Cup scheduled for action in the United States over the same time.
RoundDatesGroup StageDec. 21 — Dec. 31Round of 16Jan. 3 — Jan. 6QuarterfinalsJan. 9 — Jan. 10SemifinalsJan. 14Third PlaceJan. 17FinalJan. 18
When is Amad Diallo back from AFCON?
With Ivory Coast through to the Round of 16, Mbeumo will be unavailable to United until at least the week beginning January 5.
They face Burkina Faso in the first knockout phase on January 6, the day before United face Burnley at Turf Moor. If Les Elephants are eliminated, there is a chance that Diallo could be available for the Red Devils’ next league match against Brighton on January 11 at home. Should they progress all the way to the final, the forward would be unavailable for United for a further three matches, including the Manchester derby on January 17.
Ivory Coast are ordinarily be considered a major contender at any AFCON, and they have been impressive at the tournament so far. They topped Group F on the goals scored tiebreaker, with Amad himself scoring a key goal in a 1-1 draw with Cameroon.
Beating Burkina Faso in the Round of 16 would see Ivory Coast take on either Egypt or Benin, with the winner of that to meet Senegal, Mali, or Tunisia in the semifinals.
Ivory Coast AFCON schedule
Ivory Coast began their Group F campaign against Mozambique on Christmas Eve, before facing Cameroon and Gabon to close things out unbeaten.
First place in the group set them up with a Round of 16 clash against Burkina Faso, the runners-up of Group E.
Group stage
DateTime (ET)MatchLocationDec. 2412:30 p.m.Ivory Coast 1-0 MozambiqueMarrakesh Stadium (Marrakesh, Morocco)Dec. 283 p.m.Ivory Coast 1-1 CameroonMarrakesh Stadium (Marrakesh, Morocco)Dec. 312 p.m.Gabon 2-3 Ivory CoastMarrakesh Stadium (Marrakesh, Morocco)
Knockout stage
DateTime (ET)MatchLocationJan. 62 p.m.Ivory Coast vs. Burkina FasoMarrakesh Stadium (Marrakesh, Morocco)Jan. 102 p.m.Quarterfinals vs. TBD (Egypt vs. Benin)Adrar Stadium (Adrar, Morocco)Jan. 142 p.m.Semifinals vs. TBDTangier Grand Stadium (Tangier, Morocco)Jan. 182 p.m.Final vs. TBDPrince Moulay Abdellah Stadium (Rabat, Morocco)
Man United schedule during AFCON
Matches Diallo is guaranteed to miss
DateCompetitionMatchLocationDec. 21Premier LeagueAston Villa 2-1 Man UnitedVilla ParkDec. 26Premier LeagueMan United 1-0 NewcastleOld TraffordDec. 30Premier LeagueMan United 1-1 WolvesOld TraffordJan. 4Premier LeagueLeeds United vs. Man UnitedElland RoadJan. 7Premier LeagueBurnley vs. Man UnitedTurf Moor
Matches Mbeumo could potentially miss
DateCompetitionMatchLocationJan. 11FA Cup 3rd RoundMan United vs. BrightonOld TraffordJan. 17Premier LeagueMan United vs. Man CityOld TraffordJan. 25Premier LeagueArsenal vs. Man UnitedEmirates Stadium
