Manchester United have twice been forced to field an outfield player in goal in modern times.
Try as he might, Rio Ferdinand could not channel his inner-Edwin van der Sar and deny Sulley Muntari from 12 yards as Manchester United’s FA Cup dream died against Portsmouth back in 2007.
John O’Shea, however, would enjoy a far happier time between the sticks. The affable Irishman kept a clean sheet after Van der Sar was forced off in a 4-0 win at Tottenham Hotspur a year earlier.
And if United were to suffer a similar injury nightmare against Crystal Palace on Saturday, who would be against Noussair Mazraoui pulling on the gloves and following in O’Shea’s footsteps?
The £12.7 million bargain signing from Bayern Munich – a stand-out performer from the off – might be the most adaptable, tactically flexible member of Erik ten Hag’s squad these days.
Whether at right-back or left-back, whether flying down the wing or drifting into midfield, Mazraoui looks as cool as anything no matter what role is asked of him.
Noussair Mazraoui a big hit at Manchester United
Speaking to Manchester United’s official website, the Morroco international suggests that the Red Devils barely even scratched the surface of his versatility.
Mazraoui explains that he started out as a midfielder at youth level, before moving to the left-wing and then centre-half.
“I played one season in every position,” he remembers. “Wherever I come onto the pitch, I feel comfortable. I don’t feel like ‘what do I have to do over here?’ I just know what to do with it because I’ve played already in every position so that really helped me a lot.”
Of course, a stint in goal would probably be pushing things too far.
But if Man United thought Mazraoui was worth taking a punt on at less than £13 million, given the competition and the press resistant qualities he can bring in a multitude of different areas, the former Ajax ace is already proving himself to be remarkable value for money.
By the 26-year-old’s own admission, he never even dared to imagine that he would end up donning the number three shirt at Man United, lining up alongside his close friend and long-time team-mate Matthijs de Ligt at the Theatre of Dreams.
And the path that took him to Old Trafford, Mazraoui explains, was a journey of self-improvement and fierce professionalism.
Old Trafford switch is a dream for Morocco star
“Every step I made (lead to) a move to this big club,” Mazraoui tells Manchester United’s official website. “The move to Bayern Munich as well. These moments were the moments that you know why you work, every day, so hard.
“That is why you stand up. That is why you take on that extra work. That is why you go to sleep early. Why you don’t go out. Why you don’t go out with your friends, or why you don’t have that pizza you really want to have the day before the game! It’s all worth it in the end.
“I knew I would eventually want to play in the Premier League. But to be able to play for this big club, it’s a dream that I could never dream of.
“So, it was not something I had already in my mind,” he adds, Mazraoui the latest former Ajax player to reunite with Ten Hag after De Ligt, Lisandro Martinez and Amadou Onana, and midweek goalscorer Antony.
“But, like I said, it’s every step. Every step for me was already a step of success, and a step of being proud and a step of knowing I have made another step in my career.
“And now Manchester United is one big step in that way.”
Mazraoui is likely to feature again when United travel to Selhurst Park this weekend.
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