Noussair Mazraoui has named one of his Manchester United teammates who has shown signs that he is quickly adapting to the new system being implemented by Ruben Amorim.
There is no way to sugar-coat the 2024/25 season for Manchester United, at least domestically, as Ruben Amorim’s side sits in the bottom half of the Premier League table.
With five league games left to play, United already know that winning the Europa League is their only route into the Champions League. It’s a challenge that involves a semi-final hurdle against Athletic Club.
Since becoming United’s head coach, Amorim has faced many challenges with the squad. Ineos will be playing to amend that in the summer when the transfer window opens.
The objective will be to sign players suited to Amorim’s system — a 3-4-2-1 formation heavily reliant on wing-backs. It has been a staggered process thus far as United’s struggles continue.
In recent weeks, there have been notable signs that things are improving, even if the results suggest otherwise.
That is evident with several United first-team players standing out, including Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro, though there is still a lot of work to be done.
Noussair Mazraoui singles out Leny Yoro as great example
Ahead of United’s trip to Bournemouth in the Premier League on Sunday, Moroccan right-back Noussair Mazraoui sang the praises of one of his teammates when asked if he felt the players were adapting to the way Amorim wants to play.
That player is Leny Yoro, who joined United in the summer from Lille in a deal worth £52.18m, with £6.73m in add-ons.
The 19-year-old snubbed interest from Real Madrid to sign for United and he has been one of the silver linings in a turbulent campaign for the Reds.
That said, Yoro was forced to wait to start his competitive career at United after sustaining an injury in pre-season. That meant his Premier League debut didn’t come until December, at Arsenal.
Yoro has since kicked on as a regular in Amorim’s defence and scored his first goal for the club in United’s 5-4 win over Lyon in the Europa League quarter-finals.
Speaking to club media, Mazraoui used Yoro as an example of a player who is quickly adapted to Amorim’s preferred style of play.
“Yes, I think a big example of that is Leny [Yoro],” Mazraoui told ManUtd.com. “How he started off as this left centre-back and how he is doing now.
“He has really improved. The way he is taking the ball, he is carrying the ball a lot more, it’s a little bit where we want to go and end eventually.”
Noussair Mazraoui enjoying versatile role under Ruben Amorim
Like Yoro, Mazraoui joined United in the summer as one of Erik ten Hag’s final signings as manager.
The Morocco right-back has been one of United’s most reliable players this season as he’s been a solid force in not just one position but two across the defence.
Mazraoui has played at right wing-back and among the centre-backs in a back three this season.
After making his 50th appearance for the club, Mazraoui admitted that he likes to play as part of the three-man defence and as a wing-back.
“I think I have great qualities in defence, as well as in attacking, so I think right centre-back suits me at this moment really well,” he added. “But I like to play wing-back from time to time, just to really attack, you know.”
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