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Noussair Mazraoui had started Manchester United's past two matches before the Bournemouth game Manchester United are angry with the Moroccan Football Association for rejecting their plea for Noussair Mazraoui to play in Monday's 4-4 draw with Bournemouth - six days before the country's opener at the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon). United head coach Ruben Amorim said on Friday negotiations with the relevant national bodies were continuing over the release of Mazraoui, Cameroon's Bryan Mbeumo and Ivory Coast's Amad Diallo to Afcon. Fifa announced on 3 December that clubs only need to release players from 15 December, instead of 14 days before the tournament that runs from from 21 December to 18 January. While Mbeumo and Amad were allowed to stay for Monday's match, Morocco - who host the tournament and play Comoros on 21 December - took a different view. United had anticipated all three players would be available, given the rest of the Premier League matches were played before the revised release date announced by Fifa - which it said could be negotiated with the relevant countries. Mazraoui trained with United all week ready to be involved if possible and remained respectful and professional to both parties throughout a delicate situation from a personal perspective. BBC Sport understands United escalated the matter to world football's governing body, who did not force Morocco to back down. This has led to considerable frustration at Old Trafford, with insiders saying United believe they have been unfairly treated. While they felt Cameroon and Ivory Coast were sympathetic and collaborative in their discussions, the club feel Morocco prioritised a national team training session over an important league game. Italian side Roma and La Liga outfit Real Betis experienced similar frustration in their dealings with Morocco. Fifa had urged federations and clubs to "hold bilateral discussions in good faith to find appropriate individual solutions". It added: "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. " Mbeumo and Amad have now joined up with their national squads and will miss Sunday's Premier League trip to Aston Villa. In Mazraoui's absence, and with Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt both ruled out through injury, Amorim included 19-year-old Ayden Heaven and 20-year-old centre-back Leny Yoro - who joined for £52. 18m - in his defence against the Cherries as United missed the chance to climb into fifth spot in the table. BBC Sport has contacted Morocco and Fifa for comment. Latest Manchester United news, analysis and fan views Ask about Man Utd - what do you want to know? Operator error behind controversial Carey reprieve England battle despite Carey ton in crucial Test Henry to be honoured with Lifetime Achievement award Suggs and the Nutty Boys bring their infectious music Jack Reacher creator, Lee Child, soundtracks his life Preview Julia Donaldson's joyful tale of love Greg Jenner kicks through the history of football 'Felt like humiliation' - Egypt reacts to Salah's Liverpool row A 'throwback' to Man Utd's past, defensive chaos and a classic Where does Old Trafford thriller rank among best Premier League games? Innovation, evolution, revolution - golf's new faces championing change Rohl's Rangers roll on - should Celtic & Hearts be worried? What fans, insiders and stats say about embattled Frank Vote for your Sports Personality Team of the Year Chiefs miss out & Packers' Parsons pain - NFL week 15 round-up Mount purring for Man Utd but does he have World Cup chance? 'Helping daddy regrow' - how Hoy family found strength amid cancer diagnosis. Video'Helping daddy regrow' - how Hoy family found strength amid cancer diagnosis Man City favourites and Liverpool in trouble - how WSL stands at winter break Palmer & Foden on target - but Rogers 'has to start' at World Cup 'Anger and disappointment' as fans priced out of World Cup 'There can only be one singer' - my secrets of successful man-management BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2025 contenders. Video BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2025 contenders 'Mine was for social change, this is not' - King on Battle of the Sexes The man behind the headlines - Salah, by Klopp, Diaz and more Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.