Manchester United have a plan in place to reintroduce Noussair Mazraoui back into the squad following his Africa Cup of Nations final defeat against Senegal.
After being without three key players since the end of December due to AFCON, Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo returned to the team and made an immediate impact in Manchester United’s 2-0 win over Man City.
Amad and Mbeumo were both eliminated in the AFCON quarter-finals, which means they returned in time for the 198th Manchester derby.
It was a huge boost for Michael Carrick to have two exciting attacking players available for selection because United had struggled in their absence.
However, United have had to wait longer for Noussair Mazraoui to return as the host nation, Morocco, reached the final.
What should be Manchester United’s front three against Arsenal?
Only three can start…. who are you picking?
- Amad
- Benjamin Sesko
- Bryan Mbeumo
- Joshua Zirkzee
- Matheus Cunha
- Mason Mount
- Shea Lacey
The final had no shortage of controversy, but Mazraoui will be disappointed to have missed out on the trophy after Morocco looked defensively strong throughout the tournament.
Morocco leaned on Mazraoui’s versatility throughout the tournament, with the United full-back playing on the left side of defence.
United fans will be eager to see the 28-year-old back in action as soon as possible.
Noussair Mazraoui gets compassionate leave after AFCON final defeat
United travel to Arsenal in the Premier League on Saturday, in a game that could see Mazraoui make his first appearance for the Red Devils since December.
Mazraoui will be returning to a new environment at Carrington, especially with Carrick in charge and joined by a new backroom staff following Ruben Amorim’s dismissal.
According to the Manchester Evening News, Mazraoui has been given extra time off as compassionate leave following defeat against Senegal in the AFCON final.
The report claims Mazraoui will report back to Carrington by the end of the week and could yet make the squad for United’s eagerly awaited trip to Arsenal on Sunday evening.
Mazraoui is a member of Morocco’s squad in terms of ability and experience. He played a total of 628 minutes at AFCON; therefore, fitness shouldn’t be an issue for the 28-year-old this weekend.
United will want to run their own tests on Mazraoui to see what shape he is in before Carrick decides his availability for the upcoming game.
Amad is now worth ___________
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Noussair Mazraoui AFCON contributions
Mazraoui featured in every game for Morocco at AFCON this year.
The United man starred in Morocco’s defence, conceding just one goal in the group stage and the same amount in the knockout stages.
Excluding a successful penalty shootout against Nigeria in the semi-finals, Morocco conceded just two goals throughout the tournament.
Hopefully, Mazraoui can help United keep more clean sheets when he returns to the team.
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