Manchester United wants to keep everyone guessing about whether Noussair Mazraoui, Amad, and Bryan Mbeumo will be available for Monday’s Premier League game against Bournemouth. These three are supposed to leave for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) early next week.

FIFA said clubs had to release players for the tournament by Monday, December 15. The tournament kicks off on Saturday, December 21. But this messes things up for United because they play Bournemouth on Monday night.

United officials talked to the soccer federations of Morocco, Ivory Coast, and Cameroon, hoping to keep these three players a bit longer. They want them to play against Bournemouth before heading off to AFCON, which is in Morocco.

On Friday, coach Ruben Amorim said he wasn't sure if the three could play and seemed annoyed, with the game only three days away.

We're still talking with the national teams. The games are on Monday, the guys are training, and we're trying to get ready for anything, Amorim said.

It's annoying, but no one knows who will play, which could be good. We have enough players to deal with it. With a whole week, you can work on different things to prepare.

Amorim hinted on Friday that United might try to use this to their benefit, saying, "Every national team has their own ideas about when they want the players." I think we'll have a decision today [Friday] or maybe tomorrow [Saturday], but we’re waiting until the last minute to pick the best team.”

Now, United plans to keep the decision a secret, so Bournemouth won't know if they'll face Mazraoui, Amad, or Mbeumo, all of whom have started the last two games.

They have one last training session on Sunday to get ready for Andoni Iraola's team, who haven't been doing great recently. They haven't won in six games and are down to 14th in the league, but they did win their last two games at Old Trafford 3-0.

Mazraoui's Morocco starts their tournament next Saturday against Comoros, which might make his situation the most urgent. Amad's Ivory Coast and Mbeumo's Cameroon don't play until Christmas Eve.

Manchester United's Bryan Mbeumo seems cool with the confusion around when he needs to leave for the Africa Cup of Nations. He's one of three United players, along with Amad and Noussair Mazraoui, heading off to play for their countries.

FIFA wants players with their national teams by December 15. But that's the same day United plays Bournemouth at home in the Premier League. It's not clear if Mbeumo, Amad, and Mazraoui will play in the Monday game before they go. Even Ruben Amorim said he doesn't know what's happening.

But Mbeumo and Amad don't seem stressed.

On Friday, Mbeumo posted a funny picture on his Instagram story that Amad took. It showed him and Leny Yoro, with Amad making a silly face.

Mbeumo tagged his teammates and wrote, "No problem, my boys," with a sunglasses emoji.

He then shared another photo, this time taken by Yoro, with Amad again goofing around in the background.

While Mbeumo and Amad will be at the tournament, Yoro is staying with United to support the team.

Amorim said in a press conference Friday that he still wasn't sure if Mbeumo, Amad, and Mazraoui would be available for the Bournemouth game.

He said they're waiting to decide on the best team to start the game. And he expects to have an answer soon.

He added that every national team has their own ideas about when they want the players, and it depends on the games.

He admitted it's a bit annoying but also said it's good in a way because no one knows who will play.

Also, the team has players to deal with anything, and a week is enough time to plan for any situation.

Since joining in the summer, Mbeumo has become a key player for Amorim. He's played in every Premier League game this season and scored six goals.

Amad is in a similar situation, often starting at right-wing-back. Mazraoui hasn't quite locked down a spot, but he has started in the last two games as part of the back three.