Manchester United face Africa Cup of Nations trouble as Aaron Wan-Bissaka mulls DR Congo switch

Manchester United face the prospect of losing three first-team players during the Africa Cup of Nations after DR Congo approached Aaron Wan-Bissaka over switching allegiance and playing in next year’s tournament.

Wan-Bissaka, 25, played earlier in his career for England Under-21s and was called up to the seniors in 2019 but withdrew through injury and has not played a full international. He qualifies for DR Congo through his parents, who were both born there.

United are already braced to lose Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana and Morocco midfielder Sofyan Amrabat to the tournament that runs for a month during January and February next year. Hannibal Mejbri, who has been in the first-team squad this season, could also go with Tunisia.

Wan-Bissaka has been an important player during Erik ten Hag’s time at Old Trafford, breaking into the Dutchman’s team and also adding an attacking element to his game. Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Reece James have been ahead of him in the pecking order with England but DR Congo have always been interested in him.

The former Crystal Palace full-back is yet to make a decision on whether he wants to commit himself to DR Congo, which would mean travelling to the tournament in Ivory Coast in less than two months.

High-profile players due to play at Afcon include Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, while Nottingham Forest see a raft of players travelling to Ivory Coast. The Asia Cup also takes place mid-season, during January and February, with Tottenham’s Son Heung-min due to play.

Onana was retired from international football when he joined United in the summer but has since reversed his decision. He gave United an injury scare during the international break when he returned home early from Cameroon duty with a knock but has been back training and there is hope he will be fit to face Everton on Sunday.