Morocco wanted Mazraoui to join up with their squad ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations while Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo were allowed to play
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United feel Mazraoui trained professionally and was respectful to both his club and his country
United feel Mazraoui trained professionally and was respectful to both his club and his country (Manchester United via Getty Imag)
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Manchester United feel they were unfairly penalised for playing on Monday after their request to have Noussair Mazraoui available against Bournemouth was rejected.
United escalated the issue to Fifa and asked the governing body for support and guidance after Morocco refused to allow the full-back to play for his club before leaving for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Without Mazraoui, who left United on Sunday night, Ruben Amorim’s side conceded four goals and dropped two points as they drew with Bournemouth.
United’s other two African players, Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo, were permitted to play, with the former opening the scoring, and the club were grateful to Cameroon and Ivory Coast for their understanding.
But Morocco, who host Afcon, also play in the opening match when they face Comoros on Sunday and they wanted Mazraoui, a first-choice in the side who reached the 2022 World Cup semi-finals, to link up with them at the start of the week.
United were disappointed in part because their match against Bournemouth was moved to Monday and clubs who played on Saturday or Sunday had their African players available.
They have no issue with Mazraoui, who they feel trained professionally and was respectful to both his club and his country, but were without three defenders on Monday, with Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt both injured.