Manchester United’s Europa League clash with FC Twente will see Noussair Mazraoui and Erik ten Hag reunite with a few familiar faces.
As the former Ajax full-back prepares to welcome his old Eredivisie opponents to Old Trafford alongside Lisandro Martinez, Andre Onana, Antony and Matthijs de Ligt, Wednesday’s group-stage opener provides a fixture full of potential talking points.
In his pre-match press conference, Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag revealed his adoration for FC Twente.
Ten Hag’s beloved, boyhood club. The Dutchman had two spells as a centre-back for the Enschede outfit. Ten Hag began started his coaching career at Twente alongside Rene Hake also.
So, for Ten Hag, the prospect of ‘hurting something you love’ – Manchester United are big favourites to claim all three points – is a painful if necessary one.
Manchester United’s Noussair Mazraoui set for reunion with FC Twente star
Twente trio Anass Salah-Eddine, Youri Regeer and Carel Eiting were all part of Ajax’s youth academy when Ten Hag was at the helm of the Amsterdam-based giants.
Eiting, in particular, was viewed as one of the jewels in that generation’s crown.
The midfielder’s one-time Ajax youth team-mate Noussair Mazraoui even believes that Eiting – who retains a close friendship with Man United’s defender De Ligt – was rated higher than he was at the same age.
“Those two [Eiting and De Ligt] still have a lot of close contacts with each other. There used to be quite the clique together with Dani De Wit [now in Germany with VFL Bochum],” Mazraoui smiles.
“So it will be fun to see them again and have a catch-up. I’m looking forward to it.
“Back in the time we were in the youth team, I think Carel was viewed as more of a talent – as a bigger talent – than I was.”
The question is, then, why is Mazraoui lining up for Man United – having already represented Bayern Munich and become a first-team regular at Ajax – while Eiting is plying his trade for one of the club’s sitting on the second rung of the Dutch football ladder?
Now 26, Eiting joined Twente last summer after spells at Genk, Huddersfield Town and Volendam.
Well, it’s fair to say Mazraoui has endured his share of injury issues over the years. But nothing compared to the luckless Eiting.
Twice in his career has the gifted playmaker suffered a knee problem which kept him on the sidelines for over 100 days at a time. That, put together, accounts for almost an entire year of Eiting’s career.
“Ultimately, everybody travels their own road in football,” adds Mazraoui.
“For example, I know Carel had an injury in the early days that caused him a great deal of trouble. His recovery took a long time, so that’s one point I think our paths diverged.
“That’s the beautiful thing about football that where you end up is dependent on a great different many factors.”
Man United boss Erik ten Hag tipped Carel Eiting for big things at Ajax
Eiting, after an impressive start to the campaign for Joseph Oosting’s men, still has plenty of time on his side as he looks to fulfil his undoubted potential.
A stand-out performance against Mazraoui and Ten Hag at Old Trafford could be the start of his return to prominence.
Eiting, during his brief spell as a first-teamer at Ajax back, was hailed by Ten Hag for his ‘good passing’ range and his ‘chutzpah’ both on and off the ball. If it wasn’t for those ill-timed injuries, one can only wonder where the former John Smith’s Stadium midfielder would be these days.
Perhaps, given Ten Hag’s tendency to sign former players, he’d be lining up on the other side as Twente take on Man United.
“He had an injury, which meant he was out for the long term,” Ten Hag told a press conference back in 2019. “Last year, we saw his potential.
“A very strong preparation [pre-season] and he was also important for the team at the start of the season. But he was injured in the second phase of the season.
“I think that’s the right attitude.”
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