Manchester United have expressed strong dissatisfaction with the Moroccan Football Association after their request to field Noussair Mazraoui in Monday’s 4-4 Premier League draw against Bournemouth was turned down, despite the Africa Cup of Nations starting six days later.
Manchester United have expressed strong dissatisfaction with the Moroccan Football Association after their request to field Noussair Mazraoui in Monday’s 4-4 Premier League draw against Bournemouth was turned down, despite the Africa Cup of Nations starting six days later.
Head coach Ruben Amorim confirmed on Friday that talks had been ongoing with several national federations regarding the availability of Mazraoui, along with Cameroon’s Bryan Mbeumo and Ivory Coast winger Amad Diallo, ahead of the AFCON tournament.
FIFA had announced on 3 December that clubs are only obliged to release players from 15 December, revising the previous requirement of a 14-day advance release for the competition, which runs from 21 December to 18 January.
United expected all three players to be available for domestic fixtures played before the updated release date, especially as FIFA stated that arrangements could be discussed directly with the relevant national associations.
While Cameroon and Ivory Coast permitted Mbeumo and Amad to remain with their club for Monday’s fixture, Morocco adopted a different stance. As tournament hosts, they face Comoros in the opening match on 21 December and insisted on Mazraoui joining their preparations earlier.
The defender trained throughout the week with United in anticipation of selection and was described as professional and respectful to both sides during what became a sensitive personal situation.
United referred the matter to FIFA, but the governing body did not compel Morocco to reverse their decision. This outcome has caused significant frustration at Old Trafford, with club sources feeling they were treated unfairly in comparison to other negotiations.
Officials at United believed Morocco placed greater importance on a national team training session than on a key league fixture, a viewpoint shared by Roma and Real Betis, who reportedly encountered similar difficulties with the same federation.
FIFA reiterated that federations and clubs should engage in constructive discussions and stated that any mediation would consider factors such as match timing, competition stages, and the planned involvement of players.
Team consequences and selection challenges
Mbeumo and Amad have since joined their respective national camps and will not be available for Sunday’s Premier League match away to Aston Villa.
Mazraoui’s absence, combined with injuries to Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt, forced Amorim to rely on youthful defenders Ayden Heaven, aged 19, and 20-year-old Leny Yoro, who arrived for £52.18m.
United was unable to secure victory against Bournemouth, missing an opportunity to move into fifth place in the league standings.
