27yo star could help Man Utd save millions in transfer market with likely departure of Lindelof and Evans
Manchester United defender Noussair Mazraoui has played in seven different positions in the 2024-25 season.
Mazraoui joined United from Bayern Munich for £17 million last summer and has quickly become a mainstay in Ruben Amorim’s evolving system.
The 27-year-old has featured as a right and left centre-back, right and left wing-back, traditional full-back on both sides and even as an attacking midfielder.
Speaking to an interview, Mazraoui staked his claim for the right centre-back spot.
He said (via Manchester Evening News): “In the right centre-back, I really like to go forward with the ball. So in the build-up and break the lines, that’s something I can do good. So I’m comfortable on the ball.
“But it’s not like attacking as wing back. And wing back, a lot of times you come in a right wing position. For that, you really need like Amad one-v-one skill. That’s maybe not my biggest strength.”
Once questioned for his durability due to an injury-hit past, Mazraoui has silenced the critics with 55 appearances already this season, proving his resilience and reliability.
With Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans likely to leave in the summer, United might look inward rather than venturing into the transfer market.
Mazraoui, with his composure and tactical intelligence, seems tailor-made for the right-sided centre-back role in Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 formation.
He exudes confidence on the ball and rarely puts a foot wrong when building out from the back.
Though Amorim has also deployed him in wing-back roles, it is at centre-back where he seems most naturally at home.
The Portuguese head coach demands his defenders be progressive, comfortable in advanced areas, and capable of initiating attacks. The Moroccan international possesses these qualities in abundance.
Opting to trust Mazraoui as a centre-back could save United millions in the transfer market, freeing up funds to strengthen in other priority areas like midfield or attack.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
Article written by Sanidhya Bhardwaj .