Ahead of the Crystal Palace game, Noussair Mazraoui spoke about the differences he’s noticed after Michael Carrick took over in January.
In just over 16 months, Noussair Mazraoui has played under three different managers at Manchester United.
Signed by Erik ten Hag in August 2024, the versatile full-back was seen as a great addition to the squad, and under Ruben Amorim, he played in several different positions, including right-back, left-back, centre-back, as well as a right and left midfielder.
This season, Diogo Dalot has been preferred to the Moroccan international, who has been limited to appearances off the bench throughout the season.
The 28-year-old departed Old Trafford to represent his country in AFCON after the side’s 4-1 win over Wolves on the 8th of December, and when he returned ahead of the victory over Arsenal at the end of January, he walked into a completely different United side fresh off the back of a dominant 2-0 win over Man City.
Mazraoui on the changes he’s noticed
After the unfortunate injury to Luke Shaw against Crystal Palace, and Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu not being expected to be back to full fitness until mid-April, Mazraoui is set for a starting run of games at left-back.
Speaking to club media ahead of the game, Mazraoui praised the new coaching staff that Michael Carrick brought in, highlighting Jonathan Woodgate’s and Jonny Evans’ positive influence on the training ground.
“He’s [Woodgate] really positive. He’s really, really clear,” he told United Review. “The whole staff is like on [a] line. They know what they want, and they’re telling us what they want. Really clear and really positive, in a way which you really understand.”
On Evans, he said, “Yeah, that’s funny, of course, that change,” said Mazraoui. “Especially when I arrived, I knew him as my team-mate, and I have quite a good relationship with Jonny.
“I spoke a lot with him as a team-mate, but I already saw him [as more senior], like because of his age, the respect was really, really high. So, basically nothing really changed.”
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Carrick’s influence on the squad
Mazraoui sang the praises of Carrick, saying how his playing experience at Manchester United comes through in his team talks.
“He has a big history at the club,” he said. “You see, and you feel that in this type of coaching and the words he’s saying to us in his meetings. You really see that he knows the club, really feels the value of the club, because he has a great history here.
“He won big prizes, so he knows 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 his understanding of the club rather than anything else.”
Mazraoui was very impressive against Crystal Palace and didn’t look out of place covering for the injured Shaw for 75 minutes of the game. He completed 40 of 43 passes, while also winning 100% of his aerial duels.
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