Noussair Mazraoui had a few factors working in his favour when attempting to settle into life at Manchester United.
Though a Morocco international, the versatile full-back was born in the Netherlands and started his career at Ajax.
As such, he shares a common tongue with the likes of Joshua Zirkzee and Erik ten Hag, while Lisandro Martinez, Antony and Andre Onana also spent time at the Johan Cruyff Arena before putting down roots at Old Trafford.
Noussair Mazraoui won no fewer than three Eredivisie titles under the now-Manchester United boss Ten Hag. He too was a pillar of that free-wheeling Ajax side who came within 90 minutes of a Champions League final back in 2019.
So, with that in mind, perhaps it should not come as a surprise to see Mazraoui settle so quickly under his former boss, and alongside a handful of others who know Ten Hag’s methods like the back of their hand.
Noussair Mazraoui loves playing with Matthijs de Ligt at Manchester United
Speaking at his press conference ahead of Man United’s Europa League opener with FC Twente on Tuesday, Mazraoui also highlighted the role Matthijs de Ligt has played in his bright start to life in English football.
Lining up at right-back – and with De Ligt starting next to him as Ten Hag’s right-sided centre-half – the two Ajax academy graduates are merely continuing the partnership which brought them so much joy both in the Eredivisie and at German giants Bayern Munich.
“Of course, I think that’s also one of the big things,” Mazraoui says when asked about the leg-up De Ligt’s arrival has given him at the Red Devils. “Not just him but, already, I knew others here. [That helped me] to settle down easier.
“It’s tough to come to a new club with new players and new people. But the moment you feel comfortable is the moment you play better.
“Because I knew some players here and I came together with Matthijs, [that] makes life easier.”
“Of course, it’s a big factor,” Mazroui adds, pressed on his reunion with Erik ten Hag. “Always, if you decide to go to another club, you have to decide if the manager and his way of seeing football fits into your way of playing football.
“I knew him already. I knew his way of seeing the game and his style really fits into how I play. That’s really a big factor. That you work beforehand with him also makes it easier.
“I knew what he expected from me and he knows it from my side as well. But it was not the only factor why I came to this big club.”
Ten Hag lauded the attributes Mazraoui would bring to Man United following his bargain £13 million arrival back in August. Highlighting, above all, his two-footedness and his press-resistant talents.
Both skills have come in pretty handy so far. United are controlling games better these days, helped by Mazraoui’s ability to manipulate the ball in tight spaces and invert into the midfield. The 26-year-old also provides cover both at right-back and left-back.
United legend Jaap Stam called Mazraoui ‘incredibly good on the ball’, and he certainly wasn’t wrong.
Admiration mutual between United duo De Ligt and Mazraoui
De Ligt, meanwhile, has enjoyed a pretty impressive start of his own.
The admiration he and United’s number three hold for each other has been apparent ever since the duo arrived on the same mid-August day five weeks ago.
According to the centre-back himself, De Ligt and Mazraoui share a ‘special’ connection.
“It’s always nice when you know certain players, certain guys,” De Ligt smiled. “It makes it a little bit more easy, so I am really glad that these guys are already here.
“[Mazraoui] is an amazing guy. An amazing player. I have known him already for a very long time. I think around ten years.
“There is a reason we always come together, like before at Ajax and then at Bayern Munich. And, now, Manchester United. It’s such a special relationship. I’m really glad that he’s also going to be here.
“I think we are going to help each other a lot.”
Ten Hag may opt to rest the duo against Twente with Tottenham Hotspur looming this weekend.
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