System and methods for managing a user data path

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a device that determines each of a default downlink forwarding address of a first interface of a user plane and a currently used downlink forwarding address of the first interface of the user plane. One of an uplink user data packet comprising an origination address of a second interface of the user plane, a downlink user data packet comprising a destination address of the second interface of the user plane or both are received, by way of the user plane. One of the default downlink forwarding address, the currently used downlink forwarding address or both can be modified based on the uplink origination address, the destination address or both. Modification of the default downlink forwarding address, the currently used downlink forwarding address or both results in a redirection of an associated packet flow within the user plane. Other embodiments are disclosed.