Manchester United’s first summer transfer window under Ineos is one that has been a mixed bag so far.
And that’s relatively normal. Any club that signs five first team players, will all five be instant hits within the first three months of the season?
Past transfer history at Manchester United has demonstrated the answer is almost certainly no.
United signed Joshua Zirkzee, Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui and Manuel Ugarte.
There has been mixed success and a lot of promise so far, with Yoro unfortunate not to play a game due to injury – yet he is getting closer.
- READ MORE: Manchester United confirmed signings, transfers in, out, loan exits, releases for 2024/25
Rio Ferdinand praises Noussair Mazraoui
There has been one signing who has really stood out during 2024/25, and that has been the cheapest player of the lot in terms of transfer fee, Noussair Mazraoui.
Mazraoui cost just £12.8 million, a genuine bargain, and he has proven incredibly adaptable so far.
Even forgetting the bizarre choice to play him at number 10 against Fenerbahce, Mazraoui’s versatility has seen him selected at right-back, left-back, and now centre-back.
Ruben Amorim played him in his back three in his first game, and Mazraoui was excellent, touching the ball more than any player on the pitch in the 1-1 draw at Ipswich.
Speaking on YouTube, former star Rio Ferdinand expressed his admiration for Mazraoui’s skillset and his character.
He said: “Mazraoui, I like him a lot, really good, on the ball calm, beating people at times, defending, he’s got a bit about him.
“I really like him. what the manager needs, is ‘who’s coachable, and who actually wants to be coached who wants to learn something new?'”
The implication is that Mazraoui’s instant versatility demonstrates he is willing to step into new situations and take on new tasks, and that will endear him to his new head coach.
Manchester United bargain
A lot has been said about Manchester United wasting money under Erik ten Hag, and his fondness for signing players he has previously worked with.
Noussair Mazraoui was one case where United look to have struck gold. For the price paid, United did not need him to be a 10/10, simply a 8/10 most weeks, and that’s exactly what the Moroccan has been so far.
He is one of the first names on the teamsheet, under Ten Hag, under Van Nistelrooy, and now seemingly under Amorim.
With United struggling in the market, and question marks over the usefulness of the Zirkzee deal, the move for Mazraoui is one Ineos can already pat themselves on the back for and say well done.
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