Manchester United expressed its displeasure with the decision of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation to prevent its player, Noussair Mazraoui, from participating in his team's match against Bournemouth, which ended in a 4-4 draw, just six days before the Moroccan national team's first match in the Africa Cup of Nations against the Comoros Islands.

This decision sparked a wave of discontent within the English club's management, which had been counting on the player's participation in an important league match, especially given the team's need for additional defensive options.

Earlier, the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) confirmed that clubs are required to release their international players starting from December 15, and not fourteen days before the start of the tournament, which is scheduled to take place in Morocco from December 21 to January 18.

Based on this, Manchester United believed they could benefit from Mazraoui's services in the match against Bournemouth, as the game took place before the official release date for the players, allowing room for understanding between the clubs and national federations.

While some international players, such as Mboumo and Amad, were allowed to play with their clubs, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation maintained its position and refused to grant Mazraoui permission to participate in the match.

BBC Sport reported that this difference in handling surprised Manchester United officials, who felt that the Moroccan stance was notably stricter compared to other football associations.

According to the same source, the club's management filed a complaint with FIFA, hoping for intervention to find a solution. However, FIFA did not require the Moroccan federation to change its decision, which only increased the sense of frustration within the club.

Manchester United officials believe they have not received the same flexibility that other clubs have found with their players' unions, considering that the decision has caused direct harm to the team at a sensitive stage of the season.

BBC Sport added that the English club believes the Moroccan federation preferred the player to join the national team’s training early rather than participate in a crucial Premier League match, while other federations, such as Cameroon and Ivory Coast, showed greater cooperation during the same period.

Mazraoui's absence came at a difficult time for Manchester United, especially as the team was struggling with injuries in the defense line, which led coach Rúben Amorim to rely on young players, including Aiden Heffen and Lenny Yuro.

These circumstances contributed to complicating Manchester United's task against Bournemouth, causing the team to miss the opportunity to move up to fifth place in the English Premier League standings.