Manchester United Frustrated Over Mazraoui's Afcon Release Denial
Manchester United is expressing frustration towards the Moroccan Football Association for denying their request for Noussair Mazraoui to participate in Monday's 4-4 draw against Bournemouth, just six days before Morocco's opener in the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).
United's head coach, Ruben Amorim, stated on Friday that discussions with the relevant national bodies are ongoing regarding the release of Mazraoui, along with Cameroon’s Bryan Mbeumo and Ivory Coast’s Amad Diallo for the Afcon tournament.
FIFA announced on December 3 that clubs are only required to release players starting from December 15, rather than the previously mandated 14 days before the tournament, which runs from December 21 to January 18.
While Mbeumo and Amad were permitted to remain for Monday's match, Morocco, which is hosting the tournament and will face Comoros on December 21, took a different stance.
United had expected all three players to be available, as the remaining Premier League matches were scheduled before FIFA's revised release date, which could be negotiated with the respective national teams.
Mazraoui trained with United throughout the week, anticipating his involvement in the match.
According to BBC Sport, United escalated the issue to FIFA, but the governing body did not compel Morocco to reconsider its decision.
This situation has caused significant frustration at Old Trafford, with sources indicating that United feels they have been treated unfairly.
While discussions with Cameroon and Ivory Coast were reportedly cooperative, the club believes Morocco prioritized a national team training session over a crucial league match.
Similar frustrations were reported by Italian club Roma and La Liga team Real Betis in their interactions with Morocco.
FIFA had urged federations and clubs to engage in "good faith bilateral discussions to find appropriate individual solutions." It added that in cases where disputes over player releases persist after such discussions, FIFA would mediate by applying guidelines that consider the specific circumstances of each case, including the timing of matches, the progression of competitions, the players' historical involvement, and other relevant factors.
Mbeumo and Amad have now joined their national teams and will miss Sunday's Premier League match against Aston Villa.
In Mazraoui's absence, along with injuries to Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt, Amorim included 19-year-old Ayden Heaven and 20-year-old center-back Leny Yoro, who joined for £52.18 million, in his defense against Bournemouth, as United missed the opportunity to move into fifth place in the table.
BBC Sport has reached out to Morocco and FIFA for comments.