United duo recognised for their brilliance on the international stage, Carrick cannot wait to unleash them together

Sunday night brought the curtain down on the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Unfortunately, Manchester United’s full‑back Noussair Mazraoui was not on the winning side. He and his Moroccan teammates fell short in their bid to end a 50‑year wait for continental glory, suffering a 1‑0 defeat to Senegal in a final marred by controversy. With AFCON in Morocco now done and dusted, most players are turning their focus back to club football. AFCON trio back For United, Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo had already returned and impressed massively in the 2-0 derby win. Mbeumo found the net, while Diallo proved a menace to Manchester City’s defence. He too came close to scoring, only denied by the woodwork after a dazzling solo run. Diallo’s Ivory Coast AFCON campaign ended in the quarter‑finals, edged out 3‑2 by Egypt. Mbeumo’s Cameroon also bowed out at the same stage, losing 2‑0 to Mazraoui’s Morocco. Mazraoui himself will be back this week, with caretaker coach Michael Carrick now able to call upon United’s AFCON trio ahead of a crucial clash with Arsenal. Amad and Mazraoui honoured in Team of the Season The Red Devils can take pride in their African stars. Notably, both Diallo and Mazraoui earned places in the WhoScored AFCON Team of the Tournament. #AFCON2025 Team of the Tournament. 🌍 🌟 pic.twitter.com/NbB5Jhh6gF — WhoScored (@WhoScored) January 19, 2026 Diallo lit up the right wing with Ivory Coast, tormenting full‑backs and goalkeepers alike. In just three starts, he delivered three goals and an assist, his pace and directness making him a constant threat. Mazraoui, meanwhile, started in every one of Morocco’s games. Beginning the tournament at right‑back and finishing at left‑back, his defensive solidity underpinned the Atlas Lions’ impressive run, even if it did not end in glory. It is fitting to see the United duo recognised among the competition’s finest. The hope now is that they can carry their AFCON brilliance into the Premier League, helping Carrick in his ambitious push to restore United to Champions League football. Featured image Stu Forster via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Daniel Onguko Dan is a writer with The Peoples Person, an avid Manchester United fan whose passion for the Red Devils evolved into writing about them. He was introduced to United back in 2008, and his love for the club has continued to grow ever since. Like every other United fan, he believes the club will soon return to its rightful place and strives to reflect that belief in his writing. While he has also written about other Premier League sides, including Arsenal for Just Arsenal and The Arsenal Analysis Blogspot, Dan lives and breathes Manchester United.