(Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) | (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)
Michael Carrick will be boosted by the return of Noussair Mazraoui for Sunday’s clash with Arsenal.
Samuel Luckhurst has confirmed this afternoon that the ‘incredible’ full-back has returned to Manchester United following a six-week absence due to his participation in the African Cup of Nations.
How Noussair Mazraoui fared at AFCON
Noussair Mazraoui was to blame on a couple of goals
The right-back is in contention to face the Gunners. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Morocco, whom Netherlands-born Mazraoui has always represented at international level, were hosting the tournament when it kicked off in December and came agonisingly close to lifting the trophy.
They reached the final with Senegal last Sunday in an action-filled clash that saw Morocco awarded a late, controversial penalty, which prompted Senegal’s squad to storm off the pitch in protest. When they were eventually persuaded to return, Brahim Diaz’s dismal effort was saved by Edouard Mendy.
Senegal went on to clinch a late winner and reign victorious for the second time in the competition’s history.
Official: Noussair Mazraoui has been named in the AFCON Best XI. pic.twitter.com/dg16xqdePP
— utdreport (@utdreport) January 21, 2026
Mazraoui awaiting first United minutes since December 8
Noussair Mazraoui in action against West Ham.
Mazraoui’s last game was against Wolverhampton Wanderers over a month ago. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Nevertheless, Mazraoui was granted several days to recuperate from his involvement before joining up with his teammates at Carrington.
He is expected to make the matchday squad in North London tomorrow afternoon, although it remains to be seen if Carrick will opt to start the right-back.
The interim manager may decide to make no changes whatsoever, given how the side performed in last week’s emphatic Manchester derby win. In which case, Mazraoui might have an opportunity to make an impact off the bench at the Emirates before potentially getting the nod at home to Fulham next weekend.
Injury-wise, Carrick will be without Matthijs de Ligt and Joshua Zirkzee, with the Dutch internationals nowhere to be seen in training this week.
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