Manchester United’s transfer activities are going strong this summer, having already completed two key signings, striker Joshua Zirkzee and defender Leny Yoro.
The new INEOS regime has shown their intent on doing smart business, and the club continues to be linked with a number of players as a few more arrivals are expected at Old Trafford. The latest name that has cropped up on United’s radar is that of fullback Noussair Mazraoui.
The 26-year-old right-back, who is currently playing for German giants Bayern Munich, has been on the verge of an exit this summer and was very close to joining West Ham United a few weeks ago. A fee had been agreed between the two clubs, and personal terms with the player had also been agreed. The deal was very close to completion but has since fallen through with the Hammers failing to agree on an agent’s fee.
This has opened the door for Manchester United to swoop in, and the club has reportedly started talks with Bayern Munich for the permanent transfer of Mazraoui.
The Red Devils are looking to strengthen the fullback department and have identified the Moroccan international as a suitable addition to their squad. The player is also familiar with United manager Erik ten Hag, having played under the Dutchman at Ajax, and was an integral part of the backline that took European football by storm in the famous Champions League run in 2019.
Noussair Mazraoui – Perfect fit for Ten Hag’s system
A huge advantage of signing Mazraoui would be that the player is familiar with what Hag demands of his players on the pitch and in training. Having played under him for the better part of his entire career, it was actually the Dutch coach who handed the Moroccan his debut in 2018.
Ten Hag has made no secret of the fact that he requires his fullbacks to contribute in both attack and defense and needs his fullbacks to march forward to support the attack. It was this requirement that helped Diogo Dalot displace Aaron Wan-Bissaka as the starting right-back, as Dalot is more adept on the ball and better going forward than the Englishman.
Mazraoui fits the description of the’modern’ fullback that the club has been looking for—someone who is comfortable with the ball at his feet and can support the attack with overlapping and underlapping runs. He can hold on to the ball quite well and can dribble his way out of tight spaces, linking up with the right-winger to play the fast-flowing one-touch football that Erik ten Hag wants to inculcate at United.
The Moroccan is a quite strong tackler as well, and he is proficient at reading the game and intercepting opposition passes.
According to FBref stats, Mazraoui had 36 shot-creating actions (SCA) or actions that led to a shot in the 23/24 season, as opposed to Wan-Bissaka’s 26 and 2.71 SCA per 90 to the Englishman’s 1.31. The Bayern Munich fullback played only four fewer games than Wan-Bissaka, but his stats show that he would be a significant improvement in attack for United over their current option.
A versatile addition to the squad
The Moroccan international had 23.5 touches in the attacking third and 2.48 touches in the opposition penalty area per 90 last season, which is much more than Wan-Bissaka’s 14 touches per 90 in the attacking third. The English fullback lags behind Mazraoui in almost all attacking stats, whereas the Moroccan is able to keep up with Wan-Bissaka even in the defensive stats, despite the United right-back being renowned for his defensive prowess.
In Mazraoui, Manchester United will be getting a more complete fullback and a right-back able to give Diogo Dalot much more competition. While his injury record is spotty, he can be a great addition to the team when fit.
His versatility makes him a very desirable option as well, as he can play in the left-back spot with ease. Given United’s issues in the left-back department, with the injury concerns of Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia, Mazraoui could very well fill in as the backup.
However, any potential deal for the right-back depends on Aaron Wan-Bissaka, whom Manchester United are looking to move on this summer. Unless the English defender is sold, the Red Devils will not move to sign another right-back.
Clubs like Inter Milan and West Ham are vying for his signature, and it will be up to the former Crystal Palace man to decide which transfer he wants. Manchester United are reportedly in talks with Mazraoui, who is eager to join the club and is willing to wait for the Red Devils. A fee in the range of €15 million to €20 million could well satisfy Bayern Munich, and it remains to be seen if the deal materializes this summer.
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