Ruben Amorim has named Noussair Mazraoui as Manchester United’s ‘future’ and ‘the kind of player we need’.
With Matthijs de Ligt, Manuel Ugarte, Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro joining United during the summer transfer window for big money, Mazraoui was arguably an under the radar signing after joining Bayern Munich for a fee of £12.3million.
The Morocco international has been an instant hit at Old Trafford, immediately slotting in at the back and shining despite United’s woeful first half of the season.
With most of his football under Erik ten Hag coming at right-back, his role has changed with Amorim’s new 3-4-3 system, taking up one of those centre-half roles on the right of the three.
He demonstrated his worth again on Thursday night against Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League, brilliantly winning the ball high up the pitch before swinging a fine cross for Rasmus Hojlund to score.
Mazraoui’s versatility, athleticism and poise on the ball has won him many admirers with Amorim identifying him as a key player in his plans going forward.
‘He’s an incredible player, he’s our future,’ Amorim said after Thursday’s 3-2 win. ‘He’s played in different positions, he looks always fresh but we have to be careful.
‘There’s a lot of games but he’s here to stay. This kind of player is what we need.’
United moved for Mazraoui after agreeing a deal for Aaron Wan-Bissaka to leave the club after five years, joining West Ham United.
Despite fitness concerns ahead of his arrival in Manchester, he has featured in every match this season, starting all but one of United’s 12 Premier League games and playing the full 90 in all five Europa League games.
United return to Premier League action this weekend against Everton with Amorim hoping to secure his first win in the league after last Sunday’s draw with Ipswich Town.
It will be the first of nine games taking place across the month of December as part of a frantic fixture run that included domestic and European games and the League Cup quarter-final against Tottenham on 19 December.