Man United Opinion: Red Devils should beat Liverpool to sign Noussair Mazraoui
According to claims from Marca, Man United and Liverpool are reportedly amongst a host of Europe’s top clubs who are tracking Ajax right-back Noussair Mazraoui with a view to a potential move in the summer.
Mazraoui has established himself as one of the key cogs of a young Ajax side that is currently making plenty of noise in European football, having knocked out Real Madrid and Juventus in successive rounds to make it to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League.
The 21-year-old Moroccan international has really come of age this season and has made a total of 43 appearances for Ajax in all competitions, accumulating 4 goals and 4 assists.
Having graduated from the widely-revered Ajax academy, the Dutch-born, Moroccan-blooded versatile youngster made his Eredivisie debut last season but he has taken his game to a completely different level under the stewardship of Erik ten Hag in the ongoing campaign.
Essentially a right-back, the 21-year-old has also been used in a holding midfield role occasionally, and he has shown what a useful player he can be.
Mazraoui’s strong breakthrough season hasn’t gone unnoticed and his red-hot form has put him on the radar of two of the top clubs in the Premier League.
To be honest, he would be an ideal signing for both the aforementioned clubs. While United can look at him as a replacement for the ageing and underwhelming Ashley Young, the youngster also has all the attributes to challenge Trent Alexander-Arnold for a first-team role at Anfield.
To put things into perspective, Man United would bag a massive coup if they manage to beat off competition from Liverpool to land the Ajax ace in the summer. Lack of depth at right-back has been a major area of concern at Old Trafford all throughout the season and someone like Noussair Mazraoui would solve a key issue for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
United brought in Diogo Dalot last summer to bolster their options at right-back and gradually take over the reins from the Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young. The Portuguese starlet has shown a lot of promise in his first season in English football, though it has to be said that he looks more of an attack-minded player who is suited to a wing-back role.
Solskjaer has played him up front as a winger at times and Dalot has shown that he can be a useful squad player at Old Trafford in the longer run.
However, with Valencia set to depart at the end of the season and Young also nearing the end of his playing days. United desperately need to invest in a right-back this summer and Mazraoui perfectly fits the bill.
The youngster combines his good understanding of the game with his presence of mind to anticipate the transition in play and he is equally adept at cutting out the attacks with vital tackles and interceptions.
Calm and composed on the ball, Mazraoui is not only a wonderful passer of the ball but he also contributes a lot to the attack with his powerful overlapping runs.
A modern-day flying full-back noted for his bravery, fearlessness and dynamic style of play, the Moroccan likes to use his dribbling skills to good effect and often drives at his opposition number with pace.
As evident from Young’s struggles against class opposition in high-octane encounters, the Englishman is just a shadow of his former self and United would be better off using him as a back-up option next season.
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Mazraoui’s feat of scoring against Bayern Minich and Benfica in the group stages of the Champions League speaks volumes of his big game temperament.
That said, the Red Devils should start looking at Noussair Mazraoui as the first-choice on the right-hand side of the backline, though the club would have to do really well to strike a deal for him.
