Manchester United vs AFC Bournemouth team news and match preview
Man Utd face AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League fixture and it is not clear whether three stars will play.
Fifa rules state clubs must release all players for the Africa Cup of Nations on Monday 15 December, ahead of the start of the international tournament this weekend. That deadline is not an issue for most clubs, but it has presented an obstacle for United due to their match against Bournemouth being moved to Monday night.
United have held talks with the federations of Morocco, Ivory Coast and Cameroon, respectively, in an attempt to secure Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo for the match tonight. United have been put at an unfair disadvantage because their match was moved to the deadline day for television coverage, when most other affected clubs played over the weekend.
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United secret squad plan vs Bournemouth
Manchester United have still not communicated whether Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo will be available to face AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League tonight.
United have been locked in discussions for the past few weeks and have decided to keep the final decision secret in an effort to gain an advantage on Bournemouth. The AFCON trio have started the last two matches, and it is still unclear which of them might be available at Old Trafford on Monday night.
Ruben Amorim's side held their final training session at Carrington on Sunday and hope their squad will only be revealed when they arrive at Old Trafford on Monday evening ahead of the match. Bournemouth have won 3-0 on their previous two visits to Old Trafford, but are without a win in their last six matches this season.
Mazraoui is the most likely player to miss the match tonight because Africa Cup of Nations hosts Morocco begin the tournament against Comoros on Saturday. Amad and Mbeumo both play their respective opening matches on Christmas Eve.
Festive fixture schedule*
15 December - Manchester United vs AFC Bournemouth
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
9 January - 10 January - AFCON Quarter-finals
7 January - Burnley vs Manchester United
11 January - Manchester United vs Brighton
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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