Ruben Amorim has admitted he is still unsure whether Amad Diallo, Bryan Mbeumo and Noussair Mazraoui will be available for Manchester United's Premier League fixture against Bournemouth on Monday, with the Africa Cup of Nations deadline looming.
Monday is the Fifa-mandated date for clubs to release players for the tournament, which begins in Morocco on 21 December. Diallo (Côte d'Ivoire), Mbeumo (Cameroon) and Mazraoui (Morocco) have been called up, and Fifa has said it will mediate any disputes between clubs and national teams.
“We are still in conversations with the national teams,” Amorim said. “The game is on Monday so they are training and we are trying to prepare all scenarios. It's frustrating but at the same time nobody knows who is going to play, so it's a good thing. We have players to cope with everything.”
The United boss expects a decision on Saturday but admitted he is waiting until the last moment to select his best team. United are sixth in the table, having lost only once in their last nine Premier League games.
Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt are still injured, while Benjamin Sesko is doubtful after suffering food poisoning. “He has some food poisoning but let's wait – we still have two training sessions,” Amorim added.
Of Monday's opponents, the head coach said: “Bournemouth are a top team with a top manager [Andoni Iraola]. They press really hard and are direct. I expect a really tough game but we need to win, especially at home.”
