Injury boost for Man Utd: £12.8m star back in training after being spotted limping vs Newcastle
Manchester United have received a timely injury boost ahead of their crucial Premier League clash against Aston Villa.
The club confirmed that Noussair Mazraoui was part of the first-team training group under head coach Michael Carrick earlier today.
Mazraoui picked up a late knock in the 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United last time out.
Concern grew among supporters after the £12.8 million signing was spotted limping as he made his way out of the stadium.
He was replaced by Tyrell Malacia who was at fault for Newcastle’s dramatic 90th-minute winning goal.
Luke Shaw was taken off early in the second half due to illness. Mazraoui had initially started the match at right-back but was shifted to the left side to accommodate substitute Diogo Dalot.
Shaw has started every Premier League game for the Red Devils this season, though he has now been substituted in each of the last two matches.
Patrick Dorgu is also currently sidelined with a hamstring injury and is not expected to return until next month.
As a result, Shaw is likely to continue at left-back, with Mazraoui potentially being introduced later in the game if required.
The 28-year-old looked comfortable with the ball at his feet, helping his team out with tidy passing.
He also appeared far more positionally disciplined compared to Dalot, although he could have offered more attacking threat against the Magpies.
Benjamin Sesko led the line for United in that match, but Mazraoui struggled to deliver a quality cross to the towering striker.
Aston Villa are direct rivals of United in their pursuit of a top-four finish.
Both sides currently sit level on 51 points, although the Old Trafford outfit hold a narrow advantage thanks to their superior goal difference.
A victory against the Midlands club would significantly strengthen United’s push to secure UEFA Champions League football for next season.
Article written by Sanidhya Bhardwaj .