It was an impressive debut for Noussair Mazraoui as the versatile full-back put in a standout performance for Manchester United against Fulham.
The 26-year-old looked calm and assured in possession, contributing in the defensive and attacking phases.
His distribution qualities shone through as he helped his new side progress the ball forward on numerous occasions.
It was but a sample of what the Moroccon can offer in the Premier League, and supporters are purring for more.
A Versatile Asset
Given the injury issues the Red Devils have suffered to Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia, Mazraoui offers a welcome versatile option to strengthen squad depth.
Fittingly, the Moroccan is equally comfortable filling in on both the right and left-hand side of defence.
The former Bayern Munich man offers more offensively than his predecessor, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who relied more on 1v1 tackling as his main attribute.
Furthermore, his positional discipline can help United defend intelligently against crosses.
As we saw against Fulham, Mazraoui diligently tracks runners – quickly reacting to clear on one notable occasion from Adama Traore’s pull-back.
Experienced Campaigner
After breaking into the Ajax first-team as a 19-year-old in 2018, the defender played a big part in the Amsterdam club’s success over the next four years.
Functioning under then-manager Erik ten Hag, he contributed valiantly towards a memorable run to the semi-final stage of the UEFA Champions League in 2019.
The Dutch-born player’s impressive displays attracted interest from some of Europe’s biggest sides, and he predictably earned a big move to German giants Bayern in May 2022.
After a mixed two-year spell in Bavaria – where the full-back suffered some injury setbacks – he was on the move again this summer, reuniting with former mentor Ten Hag.
Much like his teammate Matthijs de Ligt, the fellow Leiderdorp native boasts a wealth of big-club experience for someone in their mid-twenties.
Valuable Strengths to Accommodate a Desired Style
Mazraoui is an excellent positional defender and excels in reading the game.
His intelligence is notable, and he is very proactive when dealing with potential danger.
Confident in possession, he is a good distributor of the ball – and this will help Ten Hag’s troops when transitioning out from the back.
The 28-cap maestro is two-footed, quick, and a more than capable dribbler, which will aid in the progress of United’s pressing structure.
Conclusion
Having sealed the Moroccan for the minuscule fee of £12.8 million, the seasoned defender represents tremendous value in today’s overly-inflated market.
If Mazraoui can stay fit and rediscover his best form under the coach who nurtured him during his formative years, there is no reason he can’t become an integral component of this new United side.
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