Manchester United were angered by Morocco for blocking Noussair Mazraoui from playing against Bournemouth on Monday, sources understand.
Man Utd escalate Mazraoui complaint to FIFA
The 28-year-old has been called up by the Africa Cup of Nations hosts – who kick-off the tournament against Comoros on December 21 – and FIFA recently confirmed the release period started on December 15.
United hosted Bournemouth that night and were unable to call upon Mazraoui for the chaotic 4-4 draw after the Royal Moroccan Football Federation refused to let the versatile defender play.
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Manchester United played out a madcap game at Old Trafford on Monday evening.
Sources understand the issue was escalated to FIFA, with Ruben Amorim and Co disappointed and left feeling unfairly penalised by the schedule.
The United boss had expected Mazraoui, who trained with his team-mates before his departure on Sunday, to be available.
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Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo were able to face Bournemouth after United held productive talks with the federations of Cameroon and Ivory Coast respectively.
Bruno Fernandes says Man Utd 'wanted me to leave'
Captain Bruno Fernandes has claimed “the club wanted me to go” when Al-Hilal made a big-money bid to sign him in the summer.
The Saudi Arabian club were reportedly willing to pay £100million for the 31-year-old midfielder, offering the Portugal international wages of up to £700,000 a week, but Fernandes ultimately stayed at Old Trafford after talks with Amorim.
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In an interview with Canal 11, a channel owned by the Portuguese Football Federation, Fernandes has said he felt senior figures at United were keen to cash in.
“I could have left in this transfer window, I would have earned much more money. I was going to leave a season ago, I would have won many trophies this season, but I decided not to go, not only for family reasons but because I genuinely love the club.
“From the club I felt it was, ‘If you go it’s not so bad for us’. It hurts me a bit. More than hurting me, it makes me sad. I’m a player that no one can criticise, I’m always available, I always give my best…
“I don’t see it as a matter of money. Financially I can’t complain, although the difference with Saudi Arabia is massive.
“If I ever go to play in Saudi Arabia, I will, it won’t be for the money, I’ll go because the lifestyle will change, my children’s lives will be sunny, after six years of cold and rain in Manchester, because I’ll be playing in a league that’s growing.
“The passion and empathy for the club were the same, but it reaches a point where money is more important to them than you. The club wanted me to leave. I told the directors that, I think they didn’t have the courage to make that decision because the manager wanted me.
“But if I said I wanted to leave, even with the manager wanting me to stay, the club would let me.”