Manchester United have a big problem on the horizon. Although United's form has been mixed at best this season, there have certainly been stand-out performers. United's best player this season has arguably been Bryan Mbeumo, with the Cameroonian forward already notching up five goals in the Premier league.
But Manchester United are already destined to lose their most in-form player, as the African Cup of Nations begins in just a few weeks. Ruben Amorim's problems go beyond just losing Mbeumo, though, as the squad will also lose Amad and Noussair Mazraoui. Manchester United's entire right-hand side, easily its most productive area of the pitch this season, all gone at once.
Its difficult to say how long exactly the three players will be gone. The tournament begins on 21st December, but Amorim has confirmed that all three players will be departing two weeks before the tournament begins. It depends on how deep a run each of their respective team makes. Amad's Ivory Coast are the defending champions, and Mazraoui's Morocco are the hosts, so both are likely to make deep runs in the competition. Mbeumo's Cameroon just missed out on World Cup qualification in a 0-1 loss to DR Congo, and will be desperate to prove themselves.
United need to prepare for the possibility of seven fixtures without one of their best players, and at least four games without any of their starting right-hand-side available. But this cloud comes with a silver lining. The loss of some of United's most productive players is a problem, but luckily United have the squad available to find solutions, and Amorim has already hinted at where those solutions may come from.
"There is an opportunity for other players. We have also the under-21s," Amorim told reporters, "our academy is for these moments and they will be ready.”
Some positions are relatively easy fixes: Mason Mount can no doubt step up into Mbeumo's role, Diogo Dalot is comfortable, if not exceptional, at right wing-back and can fill Amad's position, and United have enough centre-backs in the first team to cover the loss of Mazraoui. However, there is still definite space for a few academy prospects to get some first-team game time.
The most obvious solution from the academy is 18-year-old Shea Lacey, a long-heralded star from Carrington, and the most recent boy to be branded 'the next big thing' behind the scenes. Lacey has finally put together an extended period of fitness, and featured on the bench in United's 1-0 loss to Everton on Monday night. Capable playing in one of the twin 10 positions, Lacey could contribute over the Christmas period while Mbeumo is away, and has the potential to make himself a consistent member of the squad if performances live up to the hype.
The loss of key players might have also offered more opportunities for two fringe youngsters, in the form of former Arsenal academy graduates Ayden Heaven and Chido Obi. Both have featured for United before, but have dropped out of favour since the summer. Heaven has performed well at centre-back, while Obi's well-documented outstanding youth career has yet to translate to first-team performances. With both Harry Maguire and Benjamin Sesko currently out with injuries, they have already moved up in the pecking order and could be in for some serious game time over the AFCON period.
Amorim seems to be taking a look at a variety of Carrington prospects to patch up his squad.
Shea Lacey, Noah Ajayi, Jim Thwaites, Godwill Kukonki and JJ Gabriel were all spotted in first team training this week. Although this is fairly standard to bring academy players into first-team training, Amorim is certainly keeping a close eye on them to see who can contribute. JJ Gabriel, a 15-year-old who's been compared to Neymar, isn't even eligible to play for the first team until January, but could feature beyond that, such is his talent.
Other talents like Tyler Fletcher or Diego León have also spent time on the end of United's bench this season, and could be in for some first-team minutes as the first team thins out. Though neither plays in positions that are vacating for AFCON, a squad shift around could open up a spot as a back-up, where they could find themselves on the Old Trafford pitch for the first time.
With the team's form taking a turn for the worse, Amorim may turn to the academy in desperation. But Carrington is stacked with talent that's close or ready to take the leap; all they need is the opportunity.