Fifa’s injunction requires the players to join their nations for Afcon by Monday, but the club are seeking special arrrangements
Manchester United are still unsure whether Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui will be available for Monday’s Premier League game against Bournemouth, according to Ruben Amorim.
The three players are due to join their national teams for the Africa Cup of Nations. The tournament begins on 21 December in Morocco and Fifa has set Monday as the mandatory date for clubs to release players, although the governing body added that clubs could reach special arrangements with countries if necessary.
Mbeumo, Diallo and Mazraoui have all been called up for Cameroon, Ivory Coast and Morocco respectively.
“We are still in conversations with the national teams,” Amorim said. “The game is Monday, they are here, they are training, and we are trying to prepare all scenarios.
“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.”
Morocco play the tournament opener on 21 December, while Cameroon and Ivory Coast begin on 24 December.
United have been in talks with the national teams in hopes of reaching an agreement that would allow the trio to feature at Old Trafford on Monday before travelling. Amorim said he expected a final answer “today or maybe tomorrow”.
