Manchester United are 13th in the Premier League after seven matches, with nine players connected to African football contributing to a squad under pressure. Their roles range from established starters to developing prospects as Michael Carrick attempts to steady the club.

Noussair Mazraoui

Noussair Mazraoui has become a useful squad player after reportedly being available for transfer in the summer. He has made seven appearances in all competitions, starting three. The Morocco international returned at half-time against Leeds after suffering an injury on international duty in early October.

Contracted until 2028, Mazraoui was linked with Ruben Amorim’s AC Milan in late August, as reported exclusively by Africafoot, although no formal offer is known to have been made. United are not believed to be in a hurry to sell, leaving his position between valuable cover and a player on the fringes.

Carlos Baleba and Bryan Mbeumo

Signed from Brighton for about 75.9m euros, Carlos Baleba was brought in to add strength to a midfield focused largely on building play. An ankle injury delayed his start, and the Cameroon international made his debut as a substitute against Tottenham on 10 October.

Baleba was United’s best player against Atletico in his first start and then played until the 70th minute at Leeds. He has not scored, but his contract runs until 2031 with a one-year option, underlining the long-term nature of the club’s investment.

Bryan Mbeumo has been United’s most productive player this season, scoring four Premier League goals. Only one of those goals has contributed to a victory, but the Cameroon international remains an automatic starter, whether deployed as a centre-forward or a supporting attacker.

Signed from Brentford for 75m euros in summer 2025, Mbeumo is contracted until 2030 with an additional option year. United can build around him, although his output alone has not been enough to solve the team’s problems.

Amad Diallo and Ayden Heaven

Amad Diallo missed the start of the season with a pre-season injury and did not play until October. He returned against Atletico before starting at Leeds, but the Cote d’Ivoire international has yet to score. He has provided one assist in the Champions League.

His contract, extended in January 2025, runs until 2030. Despite interest from major clubs last summer, United regard the player, who impressed last season, as important and not for sale.

Arsenal academy graduate Ayden Heaven has made four appearances this season, totalling 261 minutes. Eligible for Ghana but committed to England at youth level, he is contracted until June 2029 with a one-year option. His development will be shaped by competition from Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez and Leny Yoro.

Leny Yoro and Patrick Dorgu

Yoro has made seven appearances, including five starts, but has not yet established himself since moving to England. The France-born, Cote d’Ivoire-linked defender remains in demand, with Paris St-Germain, Barcelona, AC Milan and Chelsea monitoring him. His contract runs until June 2029, with a one-year option.

Patrick Dorgu, a Denmark international of Nigerian origin, has made six appearances this season: five in the Premier League and one in the Champions League. He has two assists but suffered a muscle injury in early October. Now Luke Shaw’s deputy at left-back, the 21-year-old is contracted until 2030 with an option year.

His goal against Arsenal in January was named the 2025/26 goal of the season.

Joshua Zirkzee and Kobbie Mainoo

Joshua Zirkzee has only appeared from the bench, making seven substitute appearances and scoring once. He impressed against Tottenham, had little impact against Atletico and scored United’s only goal in last week’s humiliating defeat by Como.

The Netherlands international, who has Nigerian roots, is contracted until 2029 with an option. A January departure remains possible, although Carrick still trusts him and United want to keep him beyond the window, particularly with Benjamin Sesko’s form uncertain.

Kobbie Mainoo signed a new contract until 2031 on 30 April 2026, after scoring the winning goal against Liverpool to secure United’s Champions League qualification. The 21-year-old has made eight appearances this season and supplied one assist, but faces competition from Tielemans, Santos and Baleba.