Manchester United full-back Noussair Mazraoui has revealed his thoughts about Michael Carrick and his coaching staff.
Michael Carrick has made an impressive start to life as Manchester United head coach, winning six out of his first eight games, a dramatic turnaround following a turbulent 14-month period under Rúben Amorim.
Carrick and his men now sit third in the Premier League table and are in the driving seat to secure Champions League qualification.
United’s board are currently conducting a thorough evaluation of all potential head coach options before making a decision on who will lead the team next season.
Carrick has made a strong case for himself, but names like Luis Enrique, Roberto De Zerbi, Julian Nagelsmann and Roberto Martinez have all been linked with a move to Old Trafford.
United held extensive talks with De Zerbi in the summer of 2024 before eventually deciding to continue with Erik ten Hag. Kieran McKenna was also considered at the time, and he could once again come under consideration due to the impressive job he has continued to do at Ipswich Town.
Mazraoui praises Carrick and coaching staff
Carrick was joined by Steve Holland at United, someone who brings a wealth of experience and expertise, having worked with a number of the world’s best managers. Jonathan Woodgate, who was Carrick’s assistant at Middlesbrough, is also said to be playing a big role behind the scenes. Jonny Evans is also part of Carrick’s backroom staff.
“Yeah, well, of course, I was not there for the first period because of AFCON, but, since I’m back, I’m really liking it a lot,” Noussair Mazraoui told club media. “They are very communicative, really clear in what they want to do. Of course, he has a big history at the club so he knows the club really, really well and you see and you feel that in this type of coaching and the words he’s saying to us in his meetings, of course. So, yes, I’m really impressed.”
When asked specifically about Woodgate, Mazraoui said: “He’s really positive. He’s really, really clear also. Like the whole staff know what they want and they’re telling us. They are really clear and really positive, in a way which you really understand. So yes, it’s really, really good to work with them.”
Jonny Evans returned to United as a player in 2024, the same summer in which Mazraoui completed a £12 million move to Old Trafford from Bayern Munich. Despite the fact that Evans is now a coach, Mazraoui says not much has changed in their relationship.
“Yeah, that’s funny. That change, especially when I arrived, I knew him as my team-mate, and I have a quite good relationship with Jonny,” Mazraoui said. “So, yeah, I spoke a lot with him as a team-mate, but I already saw him… like because of his age, the respect was really, really high. So, basically, nothing really changed.”
Mazraoui has also said he feels Carrick and Evans’ experience as players at United has been valuable and has been a big reason for United’s recent success: “Yes, like I said, you really feel that, you really see that they know the club, really feel the value of the club, because they have a great history here. They won big prizes, so they know how it is in the good times, in the bad times, and you just see and feel that, and I think we also show that through these last games, of course. That’s not by luck or anything, that’s more quality and their understanding of the club rather than anything else.”
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Mazraoui should be starting more
Luke Shaw has started all of Manchester United’s games in the Premier League so far this season, but Mazraoui gives United something different on the left.
Shaw has immense quality on the ball and is crucial in build-up, but he lacks the mobility to regularly get up and down the touchline. This is especially an issue with Matheus Cunha on the left-wing, because the Brazilian likes to drift into more central areas. This means the left-back needs to hold the width, but Shaw’s body can’t handle the physical demands of that role.
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Mazraoui is technically also excellent and is press-resistant. He is a good carrier and is more mobile than Shaw, meaning he is more capable of supporting Cunha on the left-wing.
Mazraoui went off injured at St. James’ Park, but it is currently unknown what the severity of the injury is. Carrick will be hoping it’s nothing too serious, as United need reliable squad depth as they aim to finish the season strongly.
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