After securing a striker and a center-back, the right-back position is the next on Manchester United’s agenda with a deal for Noussair Mazraoui targeted.
The Bayern Munich man has a history with Erik ten Hag, having played under him at Ajax where he broke through in remarkable fashion.
Any deal, however, is contingent on United being able to sell Aaron Wan-Bissaka as he enters the final year of his contract.
West Ham are supposedly interested and due to United being in “sell to buy” mode, they will have to complete both deals simultaneously, or at least close by, to get them over the line.
In the meantime, an agreement with Mazraoui on personal terms has already been reached.
Man United’s contract to Noussair Mazraoui
It is common practice to agree on personal terms before negotiating with the club and United have done so here as well.
Fabrizio Romano has reported the length of the contract United have offered to Noussair Mazraoui and all factors considered, it is a huge show of trust by the club.
Romano reports it is a five-year contract, with an option for a further sixth year, a contract which will take Mazraoui to the age of 32 if fulfilled.
Yoro and Zirkzee got similar contracts but their cases are entirely different for a number of reasons.
Firstly, they are youngster than Mazraoui. Yoro, in particular, will be younger at the end of six years than Mazraoui is now. Zirkzee will be in his prime if he fulfills the contract.
Secondly, and most importantly, Mazraoui’s injury history makes it a risk to commit to him for more than half a decade.
He is, in many ways, a player better suited to Ten Hag’s style of play than Wan-Bissaka but United found out last season that a player’s biggest ability is his availability.
A risky commitment
Tyrell Malacia being out for the whole of last season made left-back a gaping hole as Luke Shaw had his usual struggle with injuries.
While Diogo Dalot’s fitness and availability far outrivals Shaw, it is fair to think that being played continuously will ultimately come back to haunt him.
Therefore, Ten Hag might want to manage his minutes this season, made difficult as United will play the grueling Thursday-Sunday schedule due to the Europa League, which is expanded too.
As such, a full-back who can be relied upon every matchday is necessary instead of a wild card who is qualitatively an upgrade on Wan-Bissaka but might have to be managed as well.
Of course, it is entirely possible that with Dalot and Mazraoui, both will be easier to manage as they can help each other rest up every few games.
Moreover, Mazraoui can play on both wings, like Dalot, so it increases Ten Hag’s overall tactical options too. United will hope that they are tying a player down to the club for his best years, not a potential albatross they’ll struggle to shift in a few years’ time if injuries pile up.
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