“An incredible player”.
That was Ruben Amorim’s assessment of Noussair Mazraoui after the Portuguese coach’s first game as Manchester United head coach last November – a 2-2 draw away to Ipswich Town.
Amorim chose to deploy the 27-year-old fullback as a right-sided centre-back in his trademark 3-4-2-1 system. But Mazraoui has also played on the left of the back three, as well as right wing-back.
Previously, under Erik ten Hag, the manager who brought the Morocco international to Old Trafford, he has played at left-back and even in midfield.
This versatility is a testament to Mazraoui’s technical and tactical strengths, a combination which makes him outstanding value after his £17.1 million move from Bayern Munich last year.
United’s best signing in years
Andy Mitten (The National) reveals “multiple” sources at Old Trafford consider Mazraoui the “best signing” the club have made in years.
“There are several reasons for this,” Mitten explains. “Mazraoui is technically secure on the ball with both feet, he dribbles well out of pressure, his game understanding impresses teammates and coaches.
“United knew they were getting a good player, but have been surprised at how agile and aggressive the Dutch-born Morocco international has been, how strong he is.”
This physicality has been a welcome bonus from a player raised in the Eredivisie with Ajax after the failed signings of players with similar backgrounds.
Mazraoui played 57 times last season – the most appearances in a single campaign in his career – despite concerns over injury-proneness.
The 27-year-old has missed matches with different issues over the past fourteen months – but never extended absences.
“A Modern Day Denis Irwin”
Mazraoui is “popular with his teammates” at Old Trafford as they can “trust him with the ball,” Mitten reveals – a rare trait amongst United players over the past decade.
Ajax’s esteemed academy, De Toekomst, where Mazraoui was developed, imparts the principles of totaalvoetbal – a philosophy which has come to dominate European football in the 20th and 21st centuries.
Mazraoui’s ability to perform effectively in every phase of play, with and without the ball, is a testament to this footballing education.
“He’s a full-back that both cuts inside and plays midfield – both high and low. Like a modern day Denis Irwin, United’s legendary full-back, Mazraoui is consistent week after week, delivering with a seven or an 8/10 performance.
“He’s quiet, popular with his teammates, respectful and unassuming. They trust him with the ball and know that he’ll be calm when they pass to him under pressure.”
Mazroui, speaking to Mitten in an interview with The National, reflects on a “good season” personally, but knows the team fell far short of the standards required at a “huge club” like United.
“A huge club, really a huge club,” the Moroccan replies when asked how he would describe the Red Devils.
“Everybody knows Manchester United. Everybody sees them. Everybody likes to talk a lot about them in every kind of way, there’s a lot of attention and focus on the club. That’s what you see and that’s what you feel inside the club. You feel that the pressure is on.
“We can’t have a season like last season, and before that even winning the FA Cup but still being seventh or eighth in the league is still not enough for this club, so that’s how you know how big this club is.”
Mitten asked Mazraoui how he would describe himself after his coaches stated he was “good under pressure”.
“I don’t really like to talk about myself, so maybe that says a lot already about my personality. I’m a relaxed guy. I like to be nice with everybody. With teammates, because we see each other every day, I try to have a good bond with everybody.
“If you see each other every day and it gives you even the feeling, like in games, that if you are good then in a game you can say some things to each other which is important without anybody getting frustrated or angry.”
Mazraoui is evidently a footballer valued by his manager, his coaches, his teammates, and his fanbase, who must look at the eye-watering sums spent Antony and Andre Onana, and wonder how the magnificent Moroccan cost a fraction of his former Ajax teammates.
Feature image Michael Regan via Getty Images
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Darragh Fox
Darragh is a writer for The Peoples Person who spent three years as a history graduate slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about.
