Michael Carrick's first session: Two AFCON stars rejoin Man Utd squad

After being appointed head coach until the end of the season, Carrick oversaw his first session with the squad at Carrington. United’s director of football, Jason Wilcox, was also present on the training ground. Among the notable faces were Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo, who have recently returned from AFCON 2025.

However, the duo only took part in individual training as they are still recovering from their international commitments. Last month, Amad, Mbeumo and Noussair Mazraoui represented their countries at AFCON. Cameroon, led by Mbeumo, were knocked out in the quarter-finals by Mazraoui’s Morocco, while Amad’s Ivory Coast were eliminated by Egypt at the same stage.

Both Amad and Mbeumo are expected to rejoin full team training soon and could be available for the Manchester derby on 17 January. Aside from Mazraoui, the only notable absentee in Carrick’s squad is Matthijs de Ligt, who remains sidelined through injury.

The return of the AFCON duo is a significant boost for Carrick, especially with reports suggesting the club will not provide funds for January signings. According to sources at Carrington, United are set to switch from Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-3 system to a 4-2-3-1 formation, a setup Carrick used during his time at Middlesbrough.

That tactical change, however, brings some problems for Carrick. Under the previous system, both Amad and Mbeumo could start regularly, with Mbeumo operating as a forward and Amad in a supporting wide role. In a 4-2-3-1, both are left-footed wingers competing for similar positions, creating a genuine headache for the new head coach.

Despite no expected spending in the January transfer window, Manchester United are still targeting a Champions League place. Having already been eliminated from both the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup, the Premier League is now their focus. United currently sit seventh with 32 points, three points behind fourth-placed Liverpool.

Michael Carrick will take charge of his first match as United head coach at Old Trafford against Manchester City at 7:30 PM on 17 January (GMT+7).