Could Mazraoui and Ten Hag reunite at Manchester United?
FT Desk
- 21 Sept 2022 14:25 BST
- 3 min read
Manchester United are on the market for a right-back, looking to provide some competition for Diogo Dalot, who has been in improved form so far this season.
Erik ten Hag has deployed Dalot as his first-choice right-back so far this season, having been impressive by his offensive tendencies in the past and in pre-season since the Dutch coach has been at the club.
He would still like to have another right-back at the club, with Aaron Wan-Bissaska not meeting his standards and Ethan Laird still developing while out on loan at Queens Park Rangers.
Ten Hag has been looking for options, and there could be one coming as early as the January transfer window, but there is a rarely reported choice that could make sense as well.
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Ten Hag could chase a former player
Noussair Mazraoui is still adapting to life at Bayern Munich, but there have been uncertainties given the German champions’ tough start to the current season.
Ten Hag knows Mazraoui well, having overseen his development from academy player to first-team regular at Ajax, and may look to make a move for him in the future.
Noussair Mazraoui will show he’s one of the best full-backs in Europe this season. Technically & defensively, he’s a very well-rounded RB. You can build attacks through him & he is so intelligent in terms of appearing in the right zones in the final third. Superb impact vs Barca.
— Premier League Panel (@PremLeaguePanel) September 13, 2022
The Moroccan only left Ajax this summer and had to wait for his opportunities at Bayern Munich, with Benjamin Pavard preferred over him in the early parts of the season.
He got starts in the previous two matches, but there is a fight for places there, and he may be tempted by a Ten Hag reunion at Manchester United if the opportunity arises.
Ten Hag wants to build a squad that can adapt to his system easily, and getting in someone like Mazraoui would be worthwhile as he already played under the coach for nearly five years.
He won’t come in cheap, though, as Mazraoui is still only 24 and has a contract running until 2026, but if he’s unable to get into the Bayern team, there may be a chance for a move.
Having options such as Dalot and Mazraoui will be appealing to Ten Hag, as they work well going forward, and he’ll be more than happy to have them both on his side.
