Noussair Mazraoui played a key role in Morocco’s 2-1 victory over Niger on Friday night.
Morocco hold a six-point lead in Group E of their World Cup qualification campaign after breaking second-placed Niger 2-1.
The 2026 World Cup is scheduled to take place in Canada, Mexico and the United States – with Morocco strengthening their chances of qualification by winning all four of their matches so far.
There are 12 United players involved in internationals this month and they will soon return for a busy end to the season.
Although United are 13th in the Premier League, the Reds still stand a chance of winning the Europa League. That, in turn, is United’s only chance of qualifying for the Champions League next season.
Ruben Amorim will hope that his players can return from the international without any fresh knocks or niggles. The Europa League may well be a survival of the fittest this year.
Noussair Mazraoui stars in Morocco win over Niger
Morocco secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Niger at the Stade Municipal in Oujda.
The favourites faced an organised Nigerien defence and they required United defender Noussair Mazraoui to set up the winning goal in stoppage time.
Niger opened the scoring in the 48th minute which prompted the Moroccan team to push forward in search of an equaliser. They eventually scored through Ismael Sibari in the 60th minute.
The match was headed for a draw before Mazraoui crossed for Leicester City’s Bilal El Khannouss to head home, after a nice one-two exchange with Real Madrid midfielder Brahim Diaz.
The stunning cross was a glorious invite for any forward to convert and we’ll be hoping to see Mazraoui do similar for United when he returns from the international break.
Mazraoui stats vs Niger
Mazraoui was among Morocco’s top performers against Niger.
The reliable defender has become one of Amorim’s most important players since becoming United head coach.
Not only does Mazraoui carry out an impressive job at right wing-back, but he’s also proven capable when called upon at centre-back.
Mazraoui played 90 minutes against Niger and the stats below show that he was equally strong in attack and defence.
| Minutes played | 90 |
| Goals | 0 |
| Assists | 1 |
| Accurate passes | 47/53 (89%) |
| Chances created | 2 |
| Touches | 82 |
| Touches in the opposition box | 2 |
| Passes into the final third | 17 |
| Accurate crosses | 2/6 (33%) |
| Accurate long balls | 1/1 (100%) |
| Tackles won | 2/2 (100%) |
| Clearances | 2 |
| Interceptions | 2 |
| Defensive actions | 10 |
| Recoveries | 5 |
| Duels won | 3 |
| Duels lost | 7 |
| Ground duels won | 3/7 (43%) |
Morocco are in action again on Tuesday night when they take on Tanzania in another World Cup qualifier.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/WvxIa65