Manchester United welcome Everton to Old Trafford on Monday night with a chance to push themselves towards the European qualification positions
Noussair Mazraoui among the Manchester United players tracking back during the draw with Tottenham
Noussair Mazraoui among the Manchester United players tracking back during the draw with Tottenham
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Manchester United defender Noussair Mazraoui says he is happy to play as either a wing-back or centre-back ahead of the visit of Everton on Monday night. The Moroccan returned to the United starting XI before the international break as a right wing-back as Amad played in one of the No.10 roles.
It was the 28-year-old's first start for United since the victory over Chelsea and he was largely faultless on the right flank. With Amad excelling at right wing-back and the back three seemingly picking itself at present, Mazraoui will need to be versatile if he is going to gain minutes this season.
Speaking to the United Review ahead of Monday's fixture, the Moroccan insisted he is happy to play in either role to help the team. "I always used to do both," he said. "So, whenever I was a right-back, I always liked to do the attacking but I also liked to defend, to catch my opponent, one against one, and just win those duels.
"For me, it's also a nice feeling so I think, yeah, those two positions just suit me and I don't really have a preference." When asked what he felt the differences were between the roles, Mazraoui said: "Of course, they are different positions, so they ask something different from you.
"In [terms of] attacking, and in defence as well. I think, as one of the centre-backs, it's more defending, controlling the game, controlling the counters of the opponent. And more building up, so that is basically what your job is during the game.
"I think, as a wing-back, it's more going up and down. So you have more of both sides.
Noussair Mazraoui of Manchester United
Manchester United defender Noussair Mazraoui could offer Ruben Amorim options ahead of the clash with Everton
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"A little bit more defending but also you have to be decisive because you come a lot into the last third of the pitch, the last-third part of the pitch. And that asks again something different from you than being at centre-back because then you have to give like an assist or be decisive or give a great ball, where it comes to a chance."
Mazraoui's willingness to play in multiple positions for United will be music to the ears of Ruben Amorim as he prepares for a potential selection headache against Everton. Benjamin Sesko has been ruled out and there are also question marks surrounding the fitness of Matheus Cunha after he pulled out of the Altrincham Christmas lights switch on due to an accident suffered in training.
If Cunha is missing, Amad could retain his place at No.10 allowing Mazraoui to feature at right wing-back to cover the Ivorian.