Manchester United are angry with the Moroccan Football Association for rejecting their plea for Noussair Mazraoui to play in Monday’s 4-4 draw with Bournemouth, six days before the country’s opener at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
United head coach, Ruben Amorim, said on Friday negotiations with the relevant national bodies were continuing over the release of Mazraoui, Cameroon’s Bryan Mbeumo, and Ivory Coast’s Amad Diallo to AFCON.
FIFA announced on 3 December that clubs only need to release players from 15 December, instead of 14 days before the tournament that runs from December 21 to January 18.
While Mbeumo and Amad were allowed to stay for Monday’s match, Morocco, who host the tournament and play Comoros on December 21, took a different view.
United had anticipated all three players would be available, given the rest of the Premier League matches were played before the revised release date announced by FIFA, which it said could be negotiated with the relevant countries.
Mazraoui trained with United all week ready to be involved if possible and remained respectful and professional to both parties throughout a delicate situation from a personal perspective.
BBC Sport understands United escalated the matter to world football’s governing body, who did not force Morocco to back down.
This has led to considerable frustration at Old Trafford, with insiders saying United believe they have been unfairly treated. While they felt Cameroon and Ivory Coast were sympathetic and collaborative in their discussions, the club feel Morocco prioritised a national team training session over an important league game.
Italian side Roma and La Liga outfit Real Betis experienced similar frustration in their dealings with Morocco.
FIFA had urged federations and clubs to “hold bilateral discussions in good faith to find appropriate individual solutions”.
In Mazraoui’s absence, and with Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt both ruled out through injury, Amorim included 19-year-old Ayden Heaven and 20-year-old centre-back Leny Yoro, who joined for £52.18m, in his defence against the Cherries as United missed the chance to climb into fifth spot in the table. – BBC
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