Noussair Mazraoui showed that his greatest weapon is his versatility during his first season at Manchester United.
The 2024/25 season was one to forget for Manchester United, but Noussair Mazraoui was the best signing the club made.
Arriving from Bayern Munich with a worrying injury record, Mazraoui went on to play 57 games for United, which is more than any new signing, including Matthijs de Ligt and Joshua Zirkzee.
The Morocco international averaged 79 minutes per game across his 57 appearances, starring under Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim, despite being asked to play an array of different roles in the team.
Mazraoui’s experience shone through as he became one of United’s most impactful players – not just in defence, but in the final third.
The strong performances led to Mazraoui becoming a contender for player of the season, which went to Bruno Fernandes.
There is no denying that Mazraoui was a bargain after costing United a mere £12.8 million.
Mazraoui earned an A+ rating from United in Focus for his efforts at the end of the season.
Noussair Mazraoui in the Europa League final against Tottenham
Photo by Manu Reino/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images
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Noussair Mazraoui is Manchester United’s most versatile defender
Ten Hag worked with Mazraoui at Ajax before taking the full-back to United, so he knew what type of player he was bringing to the club.
United fans often criticised Ten Hag for the poor recruitment that took place during his management, but Mazraoui is a player who will bring the Dutchman rare praise.
Mazraoui proved his importance to United by playing multiple different roles under Ten Hag as well as Amorim.
The 27-year-old played a total of five different positions in his debut season at Old Trafford.
Mazraoui played at right-back, left-back, centre-back, as a wing-back and attacking midfielder.
Ten Hag controversially played Mazraoui as a No. 10 in the Europa League against FC Twente, but he’d become known for his presence in United’s defence.
There is no denying that Mazraoui’s versatility is one of his biggest assets.
Mazraoui says no to fizzy drinks
The biggest fear when Mazraoui joined United was not whether he had the ability for the Premier League. It was whether he could stay clear of injuries that ruined his time in Bavaria.
Prior to the end of the season, Mazraoui revealed that cutting out fizzy drinks has helped him make the most appearances in one season since the beginning of his eight-year career.
Mazraoui’s previous record was 48 games for Ajax in 2018/19.
“I’m not drinking any sodas any more – fizzy drinks,” Mazraoui said, as quoted by The Guardian.
“It changes a lot because of the sugar; you don’t get it in your body any more. So just water makes a huge difference eventually. It was just to try to see if there’s any difference. I know sugar is really bad for your body but it’s really nice to have a little drink of it with dinner.”
Mazraoui has a few weeks left to enjoy his summer holidays before returning for pre-season, although it looks like he has already been busy training in Spain.