Man United angered as Morocco block Noussair Mazraoui from featuring in Bournemouth draw

Manchester United have expressed strong frustration with the Moroccan Football Association after Noussair Mazraoui was denied permission to feature in Monday’s 4-4 Premier League draw with Bournemouth.

The decision came six days before Morocco’s Africa Cup of Nations opener, despite Fifa revising player release rules earlier this month.

United had expected Mazraoui to be available, along with Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo, after Fifa confirmed clubs only need to release players from 15 December.

The tournament runs from 21 December to 18 January, with Morocco hosting and opening their campaign against Comoros.

Head coach Ruben Amorim confirmed discussions were ongoing on Friday, saying negotiations continued with national associations regarding the release of affected players.

While Cameroon and Ivory Coast agreed to delayed releases, Morocco refused United’s request, prioritising a national team training session.

BBC Sport reported that United escalated the issue to Fifa, but the governing body declined to intervene or compel Morocco to reverse their stance.

That outcome has intensified dissatisfaction at Old Trafford, with club sources believing United were treated inconsistently compared to other Premier League sides.

United felt reassured by Fifa’s updated guidance, which stated revised release dates could be negotiated between clubs and federations.

Morocco’s position contrasted sharply with the approach taken by Cameroon and Ivory Coast, which United regarded as collaborative and pragmatic.

Italian club Roma and Spain’s Real Betis are also understood to have encountered similar resistance in talks with Moroccan officials.

Mbeumo and Amad have now joined their national squads and will miss United’s Premier League trip to Aston Villa on Sunday.

Mazraoui’s absence compounded defensive issues for Amorim, who was already without injured centre-backs Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt.

As a result, 19-year-old Ayden Heaven and £52.18m summer signing Leny Yoro, aged 20, were included against Bournemouth.

United surrendered a late lead in that match, missing the chance to climb into fifth place before the international departures.