![\"Ruben](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0_GettyImages-2230285836.jpg\")
Ruben Amorim still doesn’t know whether his Manchester United AFCON stars can play against Bournemouth on Monday(Image: Ash Donelon\/Manchester United via Getty Images)<\/p>\nManchester United boss Ruben Amorim is still waiting to hear whether Noussair Mazraoui, Amad and Bryan Mbeumo can face Bournemouth in the Premier League on MondayRuben Amorim still doesn’t know whether his Manchester United AFCON stars can play against Bournemouth on Monday(Image: Ash Donelon\/Manchester United via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Ruben Amorim STILL remains in the dark over whether Noussair Mazraoui, Amad and Bryan Mbeumo<\/a> will be available to take on Bournemouth<\/a> on Monday as Manchester United<\/a> await clarity on when they must depart for their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) duties. FIFA recently set December 15 as the release date for players participating in the tournament, but with United<\/a> scheduled to play Bournemouth that same evening, it has created uncertainty over whether the trio will feature against the Cherries.<\/p>\n Just three days before kick-off, Amorim still doesn’t know if he can rely on those players for the Bournemouth clash<\/a> and has been compelled to prepare multiple tactical approaches for the match, based on their potential availability. He’s optimistic that the confusion might also unsettle Bournemouth, who cannot prepare for which United side they’ll encounter.<\/p>\n “We are still in conversations with national teams, the game is Monday, they are training and we are trying to prepare all scenarios,” he explained. “It’s frustrating, but at the same time, nobody knows who is going to play, so it’s a good thing. We have players to cope with everything. With a long week you can work on several stuff to prepare the game.”<\/p>\n Mazraoui is set to kick off his AFCON campaign on the tournament’s opening day<\/a> (December 21), with Morocco facing Comoros, while Amad and Mbeumo won’t see action until Christmas<\/a> Eve when Ivory Coast take on Mozambique and Cameroon go up against Gabon.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Man Utd loanee Jadon Sancho makes feelings clear amid \u00a310.5m transfer agreement<\/a>READ MORE: Man Utd struck bargain transfer after ‘baby William Saliba’ emerged at Arsenal<\/a><\/p>\n It was speculated that the release dates for the players could vary based on their tournament start dates, but Amorim stated that this wasn’t certain and he hoped to have clarity by Saturday at the latest. “I don’t know if it’s going to be the same situation,” he commented.<\/p>\n “Every national team has their ideas about when they want the players. I expect today or maybe tomorrow to have a decision, but we are waiting until the last moment to choose the best team.”<\/p>\n United defenders Harry Maguire<\/a> and Matthijs de Ligt remain absent for the game against Bournemouth. But striker Benjamin Sesko could play for the first time since sustaining a knee injury at Tottenham<\/a> five weeks ago.<\/p>\n \u201cMaguire is out, De Ligt is out,\u201d said Amorim. \u201cBen we have to see.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have to see if he\u2019s available. He had some (food) poisoning but we\u2019ll see. Let\u2019s wait. We have two training (sessions) still. Benjamin we will assess.<\/p>\n \u201c(De Ligt) has something in his back. I don\u2019t know for sure. Sometimes you see it\u2019s not a big injury because he finished the game quite well against Crystal Palace<\/a>, but he has some pain.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, you sometimes think that it\u2019s going to solve during this week but sometimes he feels a little bit of pain and we have to be careful with that.\u201d<\/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![\"Bryan](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0_Wolverhampton-Wanderers-v-Manchester-United-Premier-League-Molineux-Stadium.jpg\")
Bryan Mbeumo is among the Manchester United players heading to AFCON(Image: PA)<\/p>\n![\"Content](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0_Sky-Factbox.jpg\")
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