Overview
- United asked to field Noussair Mazraoui against Bournemouth, but Morocco refused as the fixture fell within seven days of their AFCON opener against Comoros on December 21.
- The club escalated the dispute to FIFA for support, with Football365 reporting that the governing body sided with Morocco because the release period began on the match day.
- Mazraoui trained with United throughout the week and departed late on Sunday to report for international duty.
- Cameroon and Ivory Coast allowed Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo to play after constructive talks, and Diallo scored in the game.
- United, already without injured defenders Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt, drew 4-4 with Bournemouth at Old Trafford.