© Breaking The Lines 2017-2021. All Rights Reserved.

What Will Noussair Mazraoui Bring to Manchester United?

August 14, 2024
Player Analysis, Transfer Analysis, Premier League Analysis

Manchester United have finalised the signing of Bayern Munich’s Noussair Mazraoui as the club look to replace outgoing right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who has joined West Ham United. The reported €15m (plus €5m in add-ons) deal will see Mazraoui become the fifth player that United manager Erik ten Hag has brought to the club having previously coached them at Ajax – a pattern of transfers that has brought mixed success. Below, we analyse what Mazraoui brings to Old Trafford, and his potential limitations…

 

With Mazraoui essentially joining Manchester United as a direct replacement for Wan-Bissaka, it’s important to assess the differences between the two players’ abilities and stylistic preferences, and what the switch gives and takes away from United’s squad.

 

 

Wan-Bissaka has built a reputation as one of the best 1v1 defenders in world football, and his ability to stop an opposing winger is undoubtedly world-class. He ranks in the 99th percentile (top 1%) of full-backs for interceptions per 90, and 96th percentile (top 4%) for ‘percentage of dribblers tackled’. His unique abilities in this area make him an incredibly rare profile, and one which United – and ten Hag for that matter – have had to rely on in key moments.

 

Think back to the 2023 Carabao Cup Final. Diogo Dalot started the game at right-back for United, and despite his team going 2-0 up, the Portuguese defender was having a torrid time against Newcastle’s Allan Saint-Maximin – he was dribbled past twice and won just 2/5 ground duels.

 

Ten Hag identified the weakness and brought Wan-Bissaka on at half-time, who went on to shut Saint-Maximim down completely. He didn’t get dribbled past once, won 8/11 ground duels, and the Newcastle winger was substituted with 15 minutes left to play.

 

Clearly, Wan-Bissaka’s unique ability to win the ball has been important for United at times, and it’s extremely unlikely that Mazraoui could replace that if ten Hag finds himself in need of a defensive 1v1 specialist – the Moroccan ranks in just the 64th percentile for ‘percentage of dribblers tackled’. That being said, Wan-Bissaka does struggle with other defensive shortcomings.

 

 

It isn’t rare to see him being caught out of position – either detached from his team’s defensive offside line, or poorly distanced from the right-sided centre-back. He has often been caught out playing opposition forwards onside, leaving too much distance between himself and his winger (and consequently not getting tight enough, quickly enough), or being too close to his winger (thus leaving a big gap between himself and his centre-back for an opposition through ball).

 

He also has a bad habit of being unaware of runners behind him, and his opponents can get a lot of joy by attacking down the right-hand side and aiming crosses towards Wan-Bissaka at the far post. While Mazraoui may not be able to directly replace Wan-Bissaka’s world-beating 1v1 defending, he is a more well-rounded defender and has abilities that can address specific issues for Erik ten Hag.

 

Firstly, at 6’0” tall, he is much stronger in the air. He is in the 84th percentile for ‘aerials won per 90’, compared to Wan-Bissaka who is in the 64th. United have struggled with an aerial vulnerability in recent seasons, and Mazraoui will be able to improve that significantly. He can also cover at left-back if necessary, which could be invaluable considering the persistent unavailability of both Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia.

 

Moreover, he is extremely effective when it comes to supporting the team’s pressing efforts. Ten Hag’s pressing structures in his two years at Old Trafford have often seen one major weakness: full-backs not backing up the press. This can leave an opposition full-back as the spare man, creating an easy out-ball.

 

 

Mazraoui’s ability to support a press effectively could be a significant asset to United as they look to become a more successful high-pressing side. However, the biggest strength that Mazraoui will bring to Manchester United is his ability on the ball – in this department, he is leagues ahead of Wan-Bissaka.

 

The Moroccan is a very technically proficient player, and will significantly enhance United’s ability to play their way through the thirds. He is incredibly talented when it comes to progressing the ball and will be highly valuable for United in deep build up, but in the final third he is much more of an inverted full-back than an overlapping one.

 

He is effective in this role and supports chance creation with tidy ball circulation and incisive passes between the lines, but don’t expect to see him producing balls into the box in high volumes. In fact, he ranks in just the 11th percentile for crosses, producing just 1.32 per 90.

 

The major question mark of Mazraoui’s head is one that will strike fear into the hearts of United fans – his injury record. Last season, United’s manager, players, and fans alike identified injuries as the number one cause for their significant failings, and in Mazraoui, the club will be signing yet another player who has a track record of being unavailable.

 

 

Across the last five seasons, he has picked up 20 separate injuries (an average of four per season), and missed a total of 89 matches (almost 18 per season). United’s success this year could depend heavily on their ability to keep injuries at bay, and Mazraoui’s struggles in this department will be concerning.

 

Overall, the signing of Noussair Mazraoui should leave Manchester United fans optimistic if not a little bit wary. He doesn’t have the unique qualities of the departed Aaron Wan-Bissaka, but he is a more complete defender who can solve some of United’s more specific defensive issues, while significantly enhancing the team’s physical and technical flooring.

 

However, none of that will matter too much if he misses half of the season through injury, and if his past struggles with fitness continue to be a problem, United may need to spend even more money addressing this position sooner than they would like.

 

By: Jake Lane / @jakerslane

Featured Image: @GabFoligno / Soccrates Images – Getty Images

EmailLinkedIn