Man Utd Transfer News: Why United are pushing to sign Noussair Mazraoui

 

After opting to continue with Erik ten Hag, and offer the Dutchman a new contract in the process, Manchester United are backing their manager in the market. Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro have signed from Bologna and Lille, respectively, while further additions are expected in defence. 

 

Over the weekend, it was reported that United were closing in on the double-deal to sign Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich. Both impressed under Ten Hag during their respective time together at Ajax, and the United boss is clearly looking at strengthening with players familiar with his demands. 

 

De Ligt is an upgrade on some of the centre-back options at Ten Hag's disposal, while Mazraoui will fancy his chances of starting at either right or left-back. Firstly, that versatility at full-back is key. Diogo Dalot is able to feature on either flank and impress, so to have two players who can operate at either right or left-back is a boost. 

 

 

While Mazraoui is best-suited at right-back, the ability to feature on the opposite flank eases the pressure on Luke Shaw to remain fit, and lessens the need for Tyrell Malacia to rush back to fitness. In total, though, United used six players at left-back in the Premier League last season, including the outgoing Aaron Wan-Bissaka, a number that need to get down. For context, two players played at right-back. 

 

That's not to say that Mazraoui doesn't pick up the odd knock here and there. Indeed, he made just 15 league starts last season due to injury with his absences due to muscle issues, so United need to be wary about running the 26-year-old hard. However, his style of play is a boost for a United side that does need to improve in possession. Ten Hag's side finished ninth (50.4%) and eighth (82.7%) for possession and pass success rate, respectively, in the Premier League, while only Sheffield United (17.8) conceded more shots per game than United (17.6) in the division. 

 

Not only will Mazraoui's impressive defensive work help to ensure the latter figure is lower, but his work on the ball means United should dominate more frequently. Mazraoui has developed statistically calculated WhoScored strengths of 'passing' and 'holding on to the ball' and for good reason with the Moroccan returning an 89.9% pass success rate from 64.6 passes per 90 in the Bundesliga last season. 

 

A team of Bayern's stature will always dominate domestically, which in turn boosted Mazraoui's on-ball numbers but even so; he was a handy outlet to call upon down the flanks when the German side pushed forward. If anything, playing for Bayern has improved Mazraoui's work on the ball, with the Morocco international improving in possession during his time with the Bundesliga powerhouse. 

 

 

This just reinforces the importance of full-backs to act as auxiliary central midfielders for dominant sides in the game. The primary tasks of full-backs used to be to provide an additional attacking outlet down their side of the pitch, with wingers using the overlap to their advantage to either cut inside or play a pass to the right or left-back, who would then put the ball into the box. 

 

However, there is more to their game than just making lung-busting runs down the wing and whipping crosses into the box, and Mazraoui's refined distribution would go some way to ensuring United are able to dominate opponents in the coming campaign. Factor in the desire to get stuck in and Mazraoui's superb work both on and off the ball won't have gone amiss in United's bid to sign the Bayern star and improve at full-back in the process.

 

United do still need to sign a central midfielder this summer, specifically a partner for Kobbie Mainoo, yet they are making some smart moves in the market. Mazraoui is another that has worked with Ten Hag, and if he can remain injury free - that has proven easier said than done for any player at Old Trafford in recent months - then he should prove a very good capture indeed.

Man Utd Transfer News: Why United are pushing to sign Noussair Mazraoui