Manchester United fans got treated to an attacking spectacle at Old Trafford as their heroes put Barnsley to the sword in a 7-0 win.
Progression to the next round of the Carabao Cup has been secured in style and in a win of this magnitude, there are bound to be many heroes.
That was the case here, as Alejandro Garnacho continued his superstar leap, Marcus Rashford made it three goals in two, Antony returned from the wilderness, and Christian Eriksen also got a rare brace.
However, all these players were at the club last season too. Of the five players United signed this summer, all four available made an appearance but one continued to separate himself in the debate for Man United’s best summer signing…
Noussair Mazraoui is class personified
It might seem weird to single out a defender who came off the bench in a 7-0 victory where attackers got all the plaudits, but such has been Noussair Mazraoui‘s brilliance.
This was a game where pretty much everyone impressed, but Mazraoui still managed to come off the bench and make his mark on the game.
The Moroccan played only the last 27 minutes after he came on for Diogo Dalot in the right-back position he has already made his own.
During those 25 minutes, United added two more goals and Mazraouis created three chances from right-back with his crisp passing and composure on the ball.
He had 39 touches of the ball in just 27 minutes, as he became a crucial part of the buildup play for United almost as soon as he came on.
The confidence his teammates have in his skills in possession is remarkable to see as he has been at the only for a few weeks.
In fact, he might not have been at the club at all since he was an “opportunity” signing when the club was exploring a deal for Matthijs de Ligt.
Ineos’ masterstroke
It is easy to envision a scenario under the previous regime where Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s contract gets extended to “protect his value” but his reputation tanks since the manager doesn’t fancy him.
That has happened with countless players at Old Trafford but what Ineos did was pure proactive action in the market.
They saw Wan-Bissaka’s expiring contract, his reduced importance, and the availability of a stylistic upgrade in Mazraoui and pulled off a masterstroke.
Mazraoui arrived for almost the same fee as Wan-Bissaka was sold for, and they now had a player the manager values for five years, instead of one he doesn’t on an expiring contract.
Mazraoui’s performances since then have only strengthened the belief that he wasn’t just a low-cost opportunity, he’s a genuinely class player who’ll be extremely important to United.
Barnsley display was just another in an increasingly long line to prove he’s United’s best summer signing.
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