![\"Noussair](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0_GettyImages-2250227511.jpg\")
Noussair Mazraoui departed for AFCON(Image: Joe Prior\/Visionhaus via Getty Images)<\/p>\nManchester United are without three players for the festive period due to AFCON but failed in their negotiations with Morocco to keep Noussair Mazraoui for their clash with BournemouthNoussair Mazraoui departed for AFCON(Image: Joe Prior\/Visionhaus via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Manchester United contacted FIFA after Morocco refused to allow Noussair Mazraoui to feature against Bournemouth<\/a>. The defender was not allowed to delay his journey<\/a> to the Africa Cup of Nations<\/a> and linked up with his countryman on Sunday night.<\/p>\n At the start of the month, it was announced that clubs only needed to release players from December 15<\/a>, instead of 14 days before the tournament begins on December 21. That was little help to United, who were scheduled to face the Cherries on Monday through no fault of their own.<\/p>\n Negotiations with Ivory Coast and Cameroon saw Amad and Bryan Mbeumo allowed to play in the dramatic 4-4 draw against Bournemouth<\/a>. The Red Devils had also hoped to call on Mazraoui before their initial request was rejected by Morocco.<\/p>\n United escalated the issue to FIFA but the governing body ultimately supported Morocco\u2019s stance. The nation’s decision aligned with their pre-tournament guidance, and the AFCON hosts play in the tournament’s opening match.<\/p>\n Mazraoui trained with Ruben Amorim’s first team squad as usual in the build-up to his exit. The ex-Ajax ace is said to have remained \u2018professional\u2019 and ‘respectful\u2019 during the dispute.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Man Utd hold talks over January transfer for Joshua Zirkzee – but one issue remains<\/a>READ MORE: Bruno Fernandes green lit transfer to Man Utd’s rivals but club blocked exit<\/a><\/p>\n United\u2019s hierarchy are said to feel they were \u2018unfairly punished\u2019 after their Premier League<\/a> fixture was moved. They sought guidance from FIFA but found no solution, with Italian giants Roma and La Liga<\/a> side Real Betis experiencing similar frustrations in their own dealings with Morocco.<\/p>\n FIFA urged international federations and clubs to ‘hold bilateral discussions in good faith to find appropriate individual solutions’.<\/p>\n It said: “In cases where there continues to be a dispute over the release of players subsequent to such bilateral discussions, Fifa will, in mediating between both parties, apply guidelines that take into account the circumstances of each case, including factors related to the timing of matches of affected competitions, the stage of these competitions, the historical and planned involvement of the players in the matches in question, as well as any other pertinent factors.”<\/p>\n Amorim will now be without Mazraoui, Amad and Mbeumo for the festive period. Former United defender Paul Parker reckons the latter’s abilities will be most keenly felt.<\/p>\n “It is impossible for Man United to cope with the loss of Mbeumo when he leaves for the AFCON. They simply can’t. They have no one close to his level, so they will struggle without him,” Parker told MyBettingSites.co.uk.<\/a><\/p>\n “He is going to be a massive miss, and I can’t see how they can do anything without him. We have to remember that he is one of the best players in the league, and he is definitely the best player from Manchester United<\/a>.<\/p>\n “He is seriously scary on that right hand side, but who should replace him? Amad Diallo<\/a> is gone as well. Will they play Mason Mount<\/a> or Zirkzee there? Gosh, I can’t imagine how that is going to look.<\/p>\n Join our new WhatsApp community<\/a> and receive your daily dose of Mirror<\/a> Football<\/a> content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.<\/a><\/p>\n Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package<\/p>\n This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/a> \u00a349<\/p>\n \u00a335<\/p>\n Sky<\/p>\n![\"Noussair](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0_GettyImages-2235515362.jpg\")
Noussair Mazraoui missed United’s match with Bournemouth(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"Content](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1763878028_546_0_Sky-Factbox.jpg\")
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