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TACTICAL MYSTERY: AMORIM DELAYS AFCON DECISION TO CONFUSE BOURNEMOUTH PREPARATION

Manchester United is keeping opponents guessing about the availability of AFCON-bound trio Mazraoui, Amad, and Mbeumo for a tactical edge over Bournemouth.

Tactical Mystery: Amorim Delays AFCON Decision to Confuse Bournemouth Preparation
Will the United Trio Play Bournemouth Before Monday's Departure?

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.

WHY MARCUS RASHFORD IS OFFICIALLY SNUBBING MICHAEL CARRICK’S MANCHESTER UNITED SOS RETURN PLEA

Marcus Rashford has no interest in a Manchester United return. Discover why he’s choosing a permanent £26m move to Barcelona instead.

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Marcus Rashford is right to choose the sun of Spain over Manchester

Marcus Rashford isn’t looking back at Manchester United. After his loan to Barcelona, he’s made it pretty clear he wants to stay in Spain for good.

He landed at Barca last summer, a move that made sense after things soured for him at Old Trafford. Hansi Flick brought him in on a season-long loan, with a deal in place to buy him for €30 million (£26 million). Rashford wasted no time showing his worth—22 goal contributions in 32 games. He’s settled in fast, and the fans have noticed.

Earlier on, it sounded like Barcelona might try to haggle over the fee, maybe push for another loan or a cheaper deal. But now, according to Marca, that’s off the table. The club’s ready to pay what they agreed and make Rashford’s move permanent. Rashford wants it too. Everyone seems to be on the same page.

The Mirror reports Rashford has zero interest in heading back to Manchester. He wants his future sorted before England sets off for the 2026 World Cup in North America. No surprise there—he’s not looking to drag things out.

England’s first match is June 17 against Croatia, just two weeks after Barcelona’s season wraps up. Some talk suggested Michael Carrick, if he gets the United job permanently, could try to lure Rashford back. But honestly, Rashford’s mind is made up. He wants Spain, and that’s that.

Even if the Barcelona deal somehow falls through, Rashford would rather move elsewhere than wear United’s shirt again. If everything goes as planned, his transfer will be United’s first big move this summer.

He’s not the only one heading out. Casemiro’s already confirmed he’s leaving, and a few others might follow. United have juggled rumours about guys like Manuel Ugarte, Joshua Zirkzee, and Kobbie Mainoo, especially back in January. After Ruben Amorim left, Mainoo actually found himself in a stronger spot at United and has started every match since Carrick came back. Lately, there’s been a real push to get him into the England squad.

Meanwhile, United are fighting for a Champions League spot. If they make the top five, they’ll have more cash to play with this summer. Last year, they spent over £200 million beefing up the squad, even without European football.

If Rashford, Ugarte, and Zirkzee all leave, United will have even more flexibility to reshape the team. Top priorities? A central midfielder, a centre-forward, and a left winger before the 2026/27 season kicks off. This summer’s shaping up to be busy at Old Trafford.

COLE PALMER "OPEN" TO MANCHESTER UNITED SWITCH AMID HOMESICK RUMORS

Cole Palmer is reportedly open to a summer move to boyhood club Manchester United as claims of homesickness emerge at Chelsea.

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Family ties are pulling Chelsea’s star back to Manchester

Cole Palmer just can’t seem to escape transfer talk. Now, it’s Manchester United in the headlines, with rumours swirling that he’s homesick after spending two and a half years at Chelsea.

Apparently, Palmer wouldn’t mind a big summer move to United—his boyhood club—especially with fresh claims that he’s not exactly settled in London. He joined Chelsea from Manchester City in a £42.5 million deal and quickly became one of their main attacking threats. But now, the England international’s name keeps popping up in connection to a return up north.

The Sun says Palmer would be open if United came calling, since he grew up supporting them. But don’t expect him to head back to City while Pep Guardiola’s still the boss. That door’s basically closed.

It’s worth noting that Jason Wilcox, United’s director of football, knows Palmer well from his time at City’s academy. Wilcox is a big fan—hard not to be, after Palmer racked up 15 goals and eight assists in the Premier League last season.

Despite signing a new deal with Chelsea last year that runs until 2033, Palmer reportedly misses his hometown of Wythenshawe.

Injuries have made this season tough for him. He’s only managed 13 appearances in the 2025-26 campaign, and he missed Chelsea’s 3-1 win over Crystal Palace on Sunday because of a thigh problem. Liam Rosenior, Chelsea’s new head coach, confirmed that before the match.

Rosenior’s already tried to put a lid on the transfer rumours, especially the talk about Palmer being homesick. “I’ve spoken to Cole plenty of times, and he seems really happy here,” Rosenior said last week. “He’s a huge part of our long-term plans.

“My job—and the club’s—is to help him consistently play at his best. He was frustrated after the Brentford game, for sure. We need to take care of him, and that’s why I kept him out of the last match.”

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