Manchester United have bolstered their defence by signing versatile full-back Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich for a reported fee of £12 million. Capable of playing on either the right or left, the Moroccan international player, adds depth and flexibility to the squad. Discover everything you need to know about what Mazraoui brings to Old Trafford with Red Devil Threads.
Noussair Mazraoui Background
Born in the small Dutch town of Leiderdorp, located between Amsterdam and Rotterdam, Noussair Mazraoui began his football journey at Ajax’s youth academy at the age of nine. He rose through the ranks, eventually making 93 appearances and scoring six goals for Ajax, mostly under the management of Erik ten Hag. In 2018, Mazraoui debuted for Morocco’s national team, opting to represent his heritage on the international stage. After moving to Bayern Munich on a free transfer in 2022, he managed one goal and eight assists in 55 games over two seasons. However, persistent injury issues led Bayern to sign Sacha Boey as his replacement, marking the end of Mazraoui’s time with the Bavarian giants
Noussair Mazraoui’s Playing Style
Noussair Mazraoui is predominantly a right-back, though he can comfortably play on the left. Unlike Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who he replaced at United, Mazraoui is more technically gifted and thrives going forward in attacking situations. He’s adept at controlling the ball and pushing forward, often seeking to deliver the final ball into the box. While he trained as a winger under Erik ten Hag at Ajax, he eventually settled into the right-back role. Although not known for excelling in one-on-one duels, his ground tackling has been impressive in recent seasons.
However, Mazraoui’s injury record is worth noting as his career has been disrupted by short spells on the sidelines, exactly what United do not need this season after the misery of last season’s constant injury issues at the back.
Where Will Noussair Mazraoui Fit In
Erik ten Hag is likely to deploy Noussair Mazraoui as a versatile squad player capable of covering both right-back and left-back positions. Particularly when Diogo Dalot or Luke Shaw are unavailable. With last season’s defensive injury crisis still fresh in memory and the left-back position already facing challenges this season, it’s no surprise that ten Hag values a player like Mazraoui, who he knows and trusts to fill potential gaps.
His ability to adapt to either flank will be crucial as United competes across four demanding competitions, ensuring that the team remains throughout a long season.
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