For Noussair Mazraoui, one of his Manchester United team-mates has something of a Jekyll and Hide nature about him.
Off the pitch, he is about as amenable a guy as you could hope to find.
But on it, let’s just say you would not like to go into a full-blooded, 50-50 challenge against a man who, as soon as he steps across that white line, turns into a bloodthirsty, tooth-baring ‘monster’.
For the third time, Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs de Ligt will be sharing a dressing room. Back together after spells at Ajax and Bayern Munich, De Ligt could hardly have been more complimentary about Manchester United’s new number three during his introductory interview this week.
Mazraoui, the Dutch international says, is an ‘amazing player’.
And the admiration is mutual.
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Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs de Ligt reunited at Manchester United
“There is big difference between on the pitch and off the pitch. Off the pitch, he is a really, really nice guy. A funny guy as well,” Mazraoui tells the Man United official website of De Ligt during his own chat with the club’s in-house media channel.
“The third club (in which) we are going to play together. I don’t know what happens when he steps onto the pitch. He just changes into a monster!”
De Ligt, a right-sided centre-half who should slot in comfortably alongside another ex-Ajax man in Lisandro Martinez, the £38 million signing has played next to Mazraoui on countless occasions over the last ten years.
That partnership may be split up for the time being, however.
Mazraoui – two-footed and ‘incredibly good on the ball’ to quote Jaap Stam – feels like the stand-out candidate to step in on the opposite flank during the ongoing absence of Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia.
“We started as a couple on the right-hand side. Then, we had a little break up but we came back together at Bayern with the same connection,” Mazraoui adds. “I hope at United we can show to the fans and to the world.
“It’s a new start.”
Mazraoui could help Antony save Old Trafford career
De Ligt and Martinez are not the only former Ajax team-mates Mazraoui is reunited with at Old Trafford.
The 26-year-old Morocco international was part of a backline tasked with protecting Andre Onana over in Amsterdam. Ten Hag will be hoping, meanwhile, that Mazraoui’s arrival could help save the stalling Antony’s Man United career.
Mazraoui and Antony struck up a superb partnership in the Eredivisie – the former flying forward on the overlap while opening up space for the latter – though the continued emergence of Amad Diallo and Alejandro Garnacho leaves Man United’s £82 million man as the right-choice right-back at best.
Maybe even fourth, if Jadon Sancho kicks on.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing them. With Antony, I have a great connection on the pitch,” Mazraoui smiles. “I can’t wait to start this connection again and also with Lisandro and the other guys.
“(Ten Hag) is a special manager for me because I made by debut for the first-team (under him). The coach that gives you this opportunity is special to you. I always like the way he plays the game, it really, really suits me.”
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