Pundit Predictions: Anxious AFCON wait

Monday 15 December 2025 13:41

Manchester United fans face an anxious wait over the potential involvement of Amad, Bryan Mbeumo and Noussair Mazraoui in the upcoming Bournemouth game tonight (Monday), and it is no different for our pundits making their predictions.

The trio have been selected in their respective countries' squads for the Africa Cup of Nations, throwing their availability into doubt for the 20:00 GMT kick-off at Old Trafford.

Amad is representing Ivory Coast, Mbeumo is likely to captain Cameroon and Mazraoui is a key defensive figure for tournament hosts Morocco.

With no official confirmation yet about the situation, ex-Reds Danny Simpson and Fraizer Campbell are hoping all three will be in Ruben Amorim's XI for the clash with the Cherries.

The Reds can go fifth with a victory, but will be mindful of Bournemouth's last two visits to M16 (which they won comfortably), and the fact the south-coast side are hoping to get back to the sort of form they displayed earlier in the season, when jostling for the top places in the division.

Their key man Antoine Semenyo is definitely available, as Ghana did not qualify for AFCON. 

Here are the predictions made by Simpson and Campbell, remember you can post yours here.

DANNY SIMPSON

The former Premier League title-winner expects Ayden Heaven to keep his place at the heart of the defence in an unchanged side from the win at Wolves.

He is hoping our African contingent can play, and believes United can secure a 2-1 win. Matheus Cunha, as is often the case with our pundits, is tipped to be the main man on the night.

Starting XI: Lammens; Mazraoui, Heaven, Shaw; Amad, Fernandes, Casemiro, Dalot; Mbeumo, Mount; Cunha.

Correct score: 2-1.

First goalscorer: Matheus Cunha.

Man of the Match: Matheus Cunha.

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FRAIZER CAMPBELL

Our ex-striker also believes the Reds will field the same XI that started the game at Molineux.

He has opted for a 3-1 home win, with Cunha scoring first, and backs in-form skipper Bruno Fernandes to be the star man.

Starting XI: Lammens; Mazraoui, Heaven, Shaw; Amad, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dalot; Mbeumo, Mount; Cunha.

Correct score: 3-1.

First goalscorer: Matheus Cunha.

Man of the Match: Bruno Fernandes.

Get involved! Make your predictions here.

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