Thanks to goals from eight different players, Ruben Amorim's Manchester United – who lost a one-goal lead on three separate occasions – played host to one of the craziest matches of the 2025/26 Premier League season on Monday after drawing 4-4 with Andoni Iraola's Bournemouth. It's been revealed that, in the wake of the goal frenzy, United have sent a complaint to FIFA, but why?
Amad popped up with a goal inside 13 minutes before Antoine Semenyo and Casemiro rounded off a relatively calm first half with goals in the final minutes before the half-time interval. Quick out of the blocks after an Iraola team talk, the Cherries fired back through Evanilson and Marcus Tavernier before the 52nd minute to earn the lead.
Bruno Fernandes and Matheus Cunha then helped the home outfit regain their lead with just 11 minutes left of regulation time, but Eli Junior Kroupi was on hand to secure a share of the spoils for the side from the south coast by adjusting his body and slotting his effort beyond Senne Lammens, whose two crucial stops at the end saved United's winning-at-half-time record.
Man Utd Lodge FIFA Complaint Following 4-4 Draw With Bournemouth – Here's Why
ruben amorim manchester united
Marking the start of a tricky spell at Old Trafford, Bryan Mbeumo and Amad – both of whom played in United's eight-goal thriller earlier this week – have now departed for Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) action with Cameroon and Cote d'Ivoire, respectively. It's now up to Amorim and company to work out how they will line up on the right-hand side with two crucial players out.
On December 3, FIFA issued guidance that clubs need to release players from December 15, instead of two weeks before the mid-season tournament that runs from December 21 to January 18. Mbeumo and Amad, as mentioned, were allowed to stay for Monday's match, but the view of host nation, Morocco – who play Comoros on December 21 – was different.
Noussair Mazraoui, regarded as one of the best right-backs in the Premier League right now, would have been able to play for Amorim against Bournemouth had the game been scheduled for Saturday – but the fixture was moved into a broadcast slot on Monday night, thus falling within the FIFA release period.
noussair mazraoui
United, who missed the chance to go fifth in the table with a win on Monday, were under the impression that all three players would be available for their Premier League encounter with the Cherries, as the rest of the weekend's matches were played before the revised release date announced by FIFA.
Mazraoui, 28, trained with his clubmates all week long ahead of the Monday night fixture and remained respectful and professional to both parties, according to a report from BBC Sport, who have also claimed that United have 'escalated the matter' to football's chief governing body. There is a sense of frustration in the corridors of Old Trafford as FIFA did not force Morocco to back down.
Insiders close to the situation believe they have been treated unfairly by Morocco and FIFA, given they felt Cameroon and Cote d'Ivoire were 'sympathetic and collaborative' in pre-Bournemouth discussions. The club believe that Morocco prioritised a national team training session over an important Premier League game, one that ended 4-4 in the absence of Mazraoui.
Morocco – AFCON Group Matches
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Elsewhere, it has been reported that both AS Roma and Real Betis experienced similar frustration in their dealings with Morocco, while FIFA urged international football 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."
How United Will Set Up Without AFCON-Bound Trio
amad mbeumo
Much has been made of Amorim's stubborn ways. The Portuguese head coach has stuck by his trusted 3-4-3 system since leaving Sporting CP and replacing Erik ten Hag at the helm of Old Trafford in November 2024 – but the absence of Amad and Mbeumo, especially, has produced a selection headache given they form two thirds of his right-hand side on a week-by-week basis.
Even worse, ex-Bayern Munich man Mazraoui has played as the right-sided centre-back in recent times, against Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Ham United notably, thus furthering the issues that Amorim has to sort out. Leny Yoro, however, can operate in that position and that is the likely antidote.
Mason Mount has, luckily for the 20-time English champions, been performing well of late and the Englishman may be asked to operate in the right No.10 role while Mbeumo is representing Cameroon. In terms of who will fill Amad's role at right-wing back, Diogo Dalot could be shifted over from the left-hand side with Patrick Dorgu or Luke Shaw, potentially, assuming their usual spot.
Ruben Amorim Related
Mainoo Starts: Ruben Amorim’s Strongest 4-3-3 Man Utd Lineup After AFCON Departures
With Mbeumo, Amad and Mazraoui heading to AFCON, Amorim is preparing a 4-3-3. This is Man Utd’s strongest XI during their absence.
Ideally, if we are to believe recent reports, Amorim could shift from his three-man back line to the 4-3-3 – which would alleviate the stress of losing their AFCON-bound contingent. Kobbie Mainoo, whose future is uncertain, could play in the engine room with Cunha, Benjamin Sesko and Mount ahead of them in midfield. The back four would consist of Dalot, Matthijs de Ligt, Lisandro Martinez and Shaw.