“I know that he has been vital to Man United in recent times but I feel like he’s a ticking time bomb. I’m sure that he’ll soon lose his good performance” – This is according to Roy Keane as he has expressed strong frustration as concerns grow over Bryan Mbeumo’s consistency.

Manchester United face a demanding period in their schedule after three squad members departed for the Africa Cup of Nations. The club needs to maintain focus, but recent events involving a player’s family have created an unwanted distraction.

Club legend Roy Keane has voiced his strong disapproval following an incident related to midfielder Kobbie Mainoo. During United’s recent Premier League match, Mainoo’s half-brother was seen wearing a T-shirt with the slogan ‘Free Kobbie Mainoo,’ referencing the player’s limited starting opportunities this season. Mainoo entered the game as a substitute in the eventual 4-4 draw with Bournemouth and is yet to make his first start of the campaign.

The gesture gained attention after Mainoo’s half-brother, a former reality TV contestant, shared an image from Old Trafford on social media. Keane addressed the situation on a podcast, criticizing the action and advising the young player to concentrate on earning his place. He suggested Mainoo should use the challenge to prove his worth to manager Ruben Amorim, rather than being influenced by external noise. Keane described the family member’s stunt as unhelpful, stating that players are sometimes “surrounded by idiots.”

Amorim has stated he is open to discussions with Mainoo, whose role could become more critical during the absence of Bryan Mbeumo, Noussair Mazraoui, and Amad Diallo.

Regarding the AFCON, there is a potential silver lining for United concerning Mbeumo. Statistical models project that his Cameroon team may exit the tournament early, which could see him return to the squad sooner than anticipated. His absence is considered a significant blow, with former defender Paul Parker emphasizing that United lacks a direct replacement for his quality on the right flank, predicting the team will struggle in his absence.