Ryan Giggs on United’s Biggest Absence Problem
Ryan Giggs has weighed in on one of the key talking points surrounding Manchester United this season, offering a clear verdict on which players are hardest to replace as injuries and international commitments begin to bite. Speaking candidly, the former United winger highlighted why attacking duo Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo pose a far bigger challenge for Erik ten Hag than defensive absences such as Noussair Mazraoui.
Giggs began by addressing the defensive situation, suggesting that United are relatively well covered at the back.
With players like Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire expected to return, and Lisandro Martínez already back to strengthen the defence, the Welshman believes the timing could hardly be better. In his view, Mazraoui’s absence, while not ideal, is manageable given the personnel United have available and the flexibility within the defensive unit.
The tone changed noticeably when the conversation turned to the attack.
Giggs was quick to single out Bryan Mbeumo as arguably United’s standout performer so far this season. His assessment was blunt: Mbeumo has been United’s most consistent and threatening player, offering power, durability, and goals. Playing regularly and influencing games week after week, Mbeumo has become central to United’s attacking identity, making any absence a significant blow.
Giggs also highlighted Amad Diallo, stressing that his impact goes beyond simple statistics. Amad’s ability to make things happen in tight situations, carry the ball, and create moments of unpredictability is something United struggle to replicate elsewhere in the squad. According to Giggs, replacing that kind of influence is not straightforward and may even force a tactical rethink.
While the return of Benjamin Šeško offers United some hope, Giggs acknowledged that it may still require reshuffling.
He suggested that Matheus Cunha could potentially drop into the role Mbeumo has been occupying, but stopped short of claiming it would be a like-for-like solution. Instead, it underlined how much adaptation might be needed to cover for missing attackers rather than defenders.
Perhaps the most telling part of Giggs’ comments was his uncertainty. Admitting he is not sure how United will cope, or whether they will need to change shape entirely, reinforced just how important Mbeumo and Amad have become. Unlike defensive rotations, where structure can often mask individual absences, attacking cohesion relies heavily on form players maintaining rhythm.
Giggs ended on a note many United fans will relate to, joking that supporters will be hoping the players’ national teams do not progress too far in international tournaments. It was a light-hearted remark, but one rooted in genuine concern. Losing Mbeumo and Amad for extended periods could disrupt United’s momentum at a crucial stage of the season.
In summary, Giggs’ message was clear from the headlines: while United can cope defensively, the potential loss of Mbeumo and Amad strikes at the heart of their attacking threat—and replacing that influence may prove the club’s toughest challenge yet.
