Manchester United take on Bournemouth tonight in the Premier League with a number of key players a doubt for the game
Manchester United's Bryan Mbeumo and Amad are doubts for tonight's game against Bournemouth.
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Manchester United have kept their team news close to their chest ahead of tonight's clash with Bournemouth at Old Trafford. Bryan Mbeumo, Amad and Noussair Mazraoui are all doubts given their impending departure for the African Cup of Nations.
The trio have all been called up for their respective countries and will play a key role in any success they have throughout the competition. However, United have not revealed whether all three players will play a part tonight ahead of the game.
That's because FIFA has mandated that all clubs must release players to their nations involved in AFCON today, Monday, December 15. There are obvious complications for United, as their match with the Cherries is set to kick off at 8pm tonight.
With that in mind, the Manchester Evening News has taken a look at everything you need to know regarding Amad, Mbeumo and Mazraoui's involvement at AFCON.
When does AFCON start?
The African Cup of Nations officially kicks off on Sunday, December 21, when hosts Morocco take on Comoros in the opening game of the tournament.
That could pose some issues for Mazraoui and United, given he's a key player for the host nation.
What are the rules regarding releasing players for the AFCON?
Earlier this month, FIFA confirmed that following conversations with the Confederation of African Football (CAF), there would be a mandatory release date for clubs to allow players to participate in this year's AFCON.
That date is Monday, December 15, six days before the tournament gets underway.
A FIFA statement added: "It was also determined that Member Associations participating in the CAF Afcon 2025 and clubs released players who would be playing in continental competitions during the release period be encouraged to hold bilateral discussions in good faith to find appropriate individual solutions."
Ruben Amorim Manager of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester United
Ruben Amorim has some big games coming up as he loses three Manchester United players to AFCON
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Manchester United's stance
Manchester United are understood to have been in talks with the football associations of Cameroon, Ivory Coast, and Morocco regarding all three players in an attempt to negotiate a potential extension.
However, there has been no clarification from the club yet on whether they can play against Bournemouth before departing for the AFCON.
There is hope Mbeumo and Amad will be granted permission to feature for United tonight, given their tournaments do not start until next week.
"We have the rules for when we have to release the players [but] we are trying to have the players a bit longer," said United head coach Ruben Amorim.
"It is not just in our hands. We will see. We will try to arrange something with the federations.
"It's frustrating but at the same time nobody knows who is going to play. So it's a good thing, I think. We have players to cope with everything, and with a long week you can see a lot of things to prepare the game and any situation."
What are African nations saying about this?
Several AFCON nations have made their feelings clear about FIFA giving some of their stars just six days to prepare for the tournament, with some countries taking in part in friendly games before the tournament gets underway.
Angola's French coach Patrice Beaumelle said: "What's frustrating and exhausting is that since the last international window, we've been finalising the preparations. We wanted to start the camp on December 8th in the Algarve region of southern Portugal.
"I've been travelling to the site for a month and a half now. We've prepared everything, worked on the content of the training sessions, and the venues for the friendly matches. Now everything is at risk.
"We have to be in Morocco on the 18th to play on the 22nd. So we can no longer call it a training camp."
Gabon coach Thierry Mouyouma said: "We initially wanted to play two friendly matches, on December 14th and 18th, but we should only play one, against an opponent yet to be determined."