Manchester United are looking for more signings ahead of the new Premier League season and Noussair Mazraoui is a key target for Erik ten Hag.
The new Premier League season hasn’t even started yet but Manchester United fans have already been dealt a cruel blow.
There has been so much excitement around new signings Joshua Zirkzee and especially defender Leny Yoro.
Yoro completed a move from Lille in July and he has already shown promise in pre-season, but is now set for a spell on the sidelines.
An injury picked up against Arsenal was expected to keep Yoro out of the first three games of the Premier League season.
The Daily Mail now claim that Yoro could miss two months with a metatarsal problem, handing Erik ten Hag a frustrating setback.
Ten Hag will hope for better news from the transfer front in the coming days with one target seemingly nearing a move.
Noussair Mazraoui on Antony
United want to add another full back and Bayern Munich’s Noussair Mazraoui has become the key target.
Perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised; reports suggest that Ten Hag asked United to sign Mazraoui in 2022, but the defender joined Bayern Munich.
United boss Ten Hag coached Mazraoui at Ajax and the pair now look set to reunite at Old Trafford.
Reports in Germany claim that Mazraoui has asked to leave Bayern Munich in order to join United.
The Moroccan is nearing a move to United with Aaron Wan-Bissaka close to joining West Ham United.
If a move does materialise, Mazraoui would have the chance to reunite with United winger Antony down the right flank.
That does depend on some factors; Mazraoui playing at right back over Diogo Dalot and Antony forcing his way back into the starting XI after a difficult season.
Mazraoui and Antony have an existing connection from their Ajax days though and the full back has previously praised United’s misfiring Brazilian.
Mazraoui told the Ajax official website in 2020 that he had a real connection on the pitch with Antony – even if the language barrier meant they didn’t understand each other all that well.
The Bayern ace added that Antony has great technique, similar to Hakim Ziyech, with Mazraoui happy to support a winger with ability to past defenders.
“I do have a connection with him, even though we don’t understand each other that well in terms of communication,” said Mazraoui. “I do feel that connection in terms of football. That boy is full of technique and has a good overview. I was always used to having Hakim in front of me. Antony has the same technique,” he added.
Erik ten Hag thoughts on Mazraoui’s Antony connection
There is a real chance that Mazraoui and Antony rekindle that connection at United.
The pair haven’t played together since March 2022 but Ten Hag seemingly believes that they will thrive together again.
Reports in July highlighted that Ten Hag thinks Mazraoui can help Antony get back on track at United.
After three goals in his first three Premier League games for United, Antony has failed to impress.
This season feels like a real make-or-break campaign for Antony as a United player and having the familiarity of Mazraoui behind may be just what he needs.
That is something Ten Hag appears to have considered and Mazraoui’s past comments just go to show the chemistry they struck up in Amsterdam.
- READ MORE: Manchester United confirmed signings, transfers in, out, loan exits, releases for 2024/25
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