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Manchester United issue alarming update on when AFCON trio will leave

Manchester United 1-1 West Ham match highlights and reaction

Man Utd will lose three first-team players later this month and they all started vs Wolves.

Ruben Amorim admits he is still unsure when Manchester United will have to let their players depart for the Africa Cup of Nations later this month.

Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui have all been selected for the tournament and Fifa rules state clubs must release players by Monday 15 December. It is a rather straightforward deadline for most clubs, but has caused uncertainty at Old Trafford due to the fact United face Bournemouth in the Premier League that night.

Fifa have also stated they will "apply guidelines" to clubs in cases where there is a dispute, and mediate between clubs and national teams. United are hopeful those affected will be allowed to play against Bournemouth later this month, but there is still no definitive answer either way.

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United unsure when player will leave for AFCON

Manchester United are set to be without three key players during the Africa Cup of Nations and would ideally like to have them all available to face Bournemouth later this month.

Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo all started the 1-1 draw with West Ham on Thursday night and are all expected to be involved against Wolves on Monday night. It is still unclear whether they will be available for the home match against Bournemouth a week later.

Asked if United knew how long they would have those selected for AFCON available, Amorim said: "No, we are dealing with everything. They are going to play the next game and that is the only thing I care."

The tournament begins on 21 December when hosts Morocco take on Comoros, with the final set to be played on 18 January. Mazroaui, Amad and Mbeumo will all definitely miss matches against Aston Villa, Newcastle and Wolves, while there is still uncertainty over the Bournemouth fixture.

Those who reach the knockout stages could also miss away trips against Leeds United and Burnley in early January and the FA Cup third round tie later in the month. Those who reach the AFCON final would also miss the Manchester derby against Man City that same weekend. It means they could be without some players for seven or eight matches.

Festive fixture schedule

21 December - Morocco vs Comoros (Mazraoui)

21 December - Aston Villa vs Manchester United

24 December - Ivory Coast vs Mozambique (Amad), Cameroon vs Gabon (Mbeumo)

26 December - Morocco vs Mali (Mazraoui)

26 December - Manchester United vs Newcastle

28 December - Ivory Coast vs Cameroon (Amad, Mbeumo)

29 December - Zambia vs Morocco (Mazraoui)

30 December - Manchester United vs Wolves

31 December - Gabon vs Ivory Coast (Amad), Mozambique vs Cameroon (Mbeumo)

3 January - 6 January - AFCON Round of 16

4 January - Leeds United vs Manchester United

7 January - Burnley vs Manchester United

9 January - 10 January - AFCON Quarter-finals

10 January - FA Cup Third Round

14 January - AFCON Semi-finals

17 January - AFCON Third place play-off

17 January - Manchester United vs Man City

18 January - AFCON Final

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