MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 28: Noussair Mazraoui of Manchester United during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between Manchester United and FK Bodo/Glimt at Old Trafford on November 28, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 28: Noussair Mazraoui of Manchester United during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between Manchester United and FK Bodo/Glimt at Old Trafford on November 28, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Noussair Mazraoui believes Manchester United are too big to fail - but the Moroccan defender admits that it could be a case of no pain, no gain for Ruben Amorim’s new-look Reds.
Amorim is implementing a new tactical system that has seen Mazraoui move inside from right-back to play alongside Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez in a three-man central defence. The 27-year-old is relishing the challenge - and has been astonished by the sheer scale of the club he joined in a £17million deal from Bayern Munich in the summer.
But he believes it will take time for the new manager’s philosophy to reach its full potential. Mazraoui said: “I came here to win - and it will come. Manchester United is too big not to. Everyone here knows that, everybody sees that and everybody feels that - especially us as players.
“We are going to come back - and we are going to come back even harder. But I think that when you want to implement a new style of play that isn’t even close to how we played before, no-one can expect us to understand everything the manager has in his mind right from the start.
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“So yes, of course, this is going to be a tough time - but come on, we are all top players and we play the game to win. Eventually we will get to wherever the coach wants us to be. We have unbelievable players, so of course we can adapt - and I think we are showing that. We have to get used to the new style, but I don’t think it will take too long - even if at the moment it is tough.”
United drew 1-1 at Ipswich in Amorim’s first game in charge before beating Bodo/Glimt 3-2 in the Europa League at Old Trafford on Thursday night. But while Mazraoui feels the players are only just coming to terms with what the boss is demanding, he insists the season can be much more than a campaign of consolidation.
Mazraoui said: “Of course you always have to believe you can challenge. Without that belief, for me personally, I think you should stop. Without belief you will not achieve anything. We still have our goals, but we’re not stupid. We know what phase we’re in and the most important thing is that we continue to improve our style of play and eventually we will see what that gives us.
“Now we have our first win for him and that is something we can build on and improve. Every week that is the basic thing we will try to do.”
Has Noussair Mazraoui been Manchester United's best signing this season? Have your say in the comments section.
Noussair Mazraoui is ready to fight ( Image: OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
Everton now face Everton at Old Trafford and Amorim has already spoken of his admiration for how the Holland-born former Ajax defender has taken to his new role. Mazraoui said: “It’s a big compliment to hear the coach say nice things. What can I say? I try my best every day and in every game. I give my all for the team, for the coach and for the supporters.
“We are all in this together. It isn’t about one player. This is the first time I have played in this position. You have to view the game differently because you are not as high up the pitch like when you are the full-back.
“But you get more time on the ball and you must make the most of that in the build-up. There are some different things I have to do but it’s still the same game. Of course, I played alongside De Ligt at Bayern and having him alongside me makes life 10-times easier.”
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