Erik ten Hag has found £32m partnership that could leave one Man United star out of the team

Erik ten Hag has found a £32 million partnership at Old Trafford that could leave one Manchester United star out of the team.

The Reds have had a mixed start to the season this term, winning two of their opening four Premier League outings.

Erik ten Hag will feel the team has the chance to gain momentum after winning 3-0 against Southampton and Barnsley in emphatic style over the last two fixtures.

It seems that the United boss is still learning his best team after five first-team signings this summer, but there have been some interesting developments in the short amount of game-time so far this term.

Amad and Mazraoui building a partnership

Amad Diallo broke into the first-team squad at Old Trafford towards the backend of last season and now looks to be having his first breakout campaign at the club.

The exciting winger joined United in 2021 for an initial £19 million from Atalanta, and he was extremely highly rated. However, injuries and loan spells away from the club have limited his impact on United since then.

To start the season, Amad has played ahead of new signing Noussair Mazraoui on the right side. The defender signed from Bayern Munich this summer for an initial £13 million.

They have both been two of the club’s most impressive players so far this season and already look comfortable in linkup play. Mazraoui knows when to come inside or offer an overlap for the 22-year-old.

The pair, who cost an initial £32 million between them, could continue to build that partnership on the right flank throughout the season.

Dalot will fight for position

Of course, Diogo Dalot was United’s player of the season last term. Still, Mazraoui will undoubtedly provide more competition, should he remain fit, than the Portuguese defender has been used to under Ten Hag.

However, Dalot has previously explained that he appreciates the need for stiff competition at Old Trafford in order for players to challenge themselves to the maximum.

“It’s the standard at this club,” he said last year when speaking about that competition. “You have to compete for a position in a healthy way. As long as we keep this competition, I think it’s going to be better for us as a team.

“We have at least two or three players per position, which can be a bigger headache for the manager, but for us, as a team, it’s the best thing because we have quality.

“When one player cannot play, the other will play and do the job as well, so I think it all benefits the team. I think that’s most important.”

While Mazraoui has started the season very well, Dalot has also looked strong while out of position. It will be an interesting dynamic once the likes of Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia return to fitness.

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