MANCHESTER UNITED will try to keep the availability of their Afcon trio under wraps ahead of the Monday night visit of Bournemouth.
United manager Ruben Amorim admitted on Friday the club were still unsure whether Bryan Mbeumo, Amad and Noussair Mazraoui would be available for the game.
The trio have been called up by their African nations for the biennial tournament and United have been in discussions with the federations of Cameroon, Ivory Coast and Morocco.
Amorim indicated United would have clarity on the three players on Saturday but club sources said they did not want to give away team news ahead of the match.
Mbeumo, Amad and Mazraoui have started in United’s last two games and Amorim claimed the uncertainty over their roles against Bournemouth could impact the Cherries’ own preparations.
Bournemouth have won 3-0 on their last two visits to Old Trafford and are unbeaten in four games against United.
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However, Andoni Iraola’s side are on a six-game winless run and United have lost only one of their past nine fixtures.
United have one more training session on Sunday and Amorim revealed that they are effectively preparing with two different starting XIs in mind.
Should Mbeumo, Amad and Mazraoui be ruled out, Kobbie Mainoo could be in line for his first Premier League start since May.
Amorim has often used Mainoo in a playmaker role and he could potentially opt for a front three of Mainoo, Mason Mount and Matheus Cunha.
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Mainoo has started in 16 of Ten Hag’s 58 games in charge and had a request to leave on loan blocked in the summer.
The 20-year-old’s only start this season was in the humiliating League Cup second round defeat to League Two Grimsby Town in August.
Leny Yoro would likely deputise for Mazraoui at centre back while Diogo Dalot could shift to the right wing in Amad’s potential absence.
Patrick Dorgu is also in line for a possible recall on the left.
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