Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim is making changes at Old Trafford with a new leadership group now in place for the new season.
Manchester United’s Premier League kick-off is now just two weeks away.
Arsenal travel to Old Trafford to kick off the Premier League campaign, and United are gearing up for a hot start.
United have beaten West Ham United and Bournemouth on the current United States tour, producing two impressive displays.
United haven’t even unleashed summer signings Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo together yet, so there is scope for further improvement.
It’s only pre-season, and United fans shouldn’t get too carried away just yet, but there have been reasons to be encouraged.
Manchester United defender Noussair Mazraoui looks on against Chelsea
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Ruben Amorim confirms Noussair Mazraoui role
The new season brings new faces for United fans, but Amorim is also sparking further changes.
Amorim has told The Athletic that he has established a six-person leadership group to handle small issues around the United dressing room.
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Bruno Fernandes will, of course, be a part of that team as he prepares for another season as United captain.
Former United skipper Harry Maguire is included, as is veteran goalkeeper Tom Heaton, while Lisandro Martinez and Diogo Dalot are also involved.
Amorim has also confirmed that defender Noussair Mazraoui has been given a leadership role ahead of the new season.
United only signed Mazraoui last summer, as the Moroccan defender reunited with his former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag.
Amorim has certainly taken a liking to Mazraoui, and admitted that he loves the former Bayern Munich man’s character, hence his spot as a United leader.
“We have a leadership group now. It’s not just Bruno Fernandes. It’s not just Harry Maguire. It’s six guys now,” said Amorim.
“They are responsible for the group. There are some things that, in the last year, I had to deal with that. I said to them, ‘You deal with that. Small issues are with you guys. You are responsible’. All these small changes, it’s helping the group.
“So it’s not just the oldest one, Nous is in the group because he’s a character that I like. I try to understand the dynamic of the group, try to reach every space. They are the guys who are responsible for keeping everyone in line,” he added.
Noussair Mazraoui proving he’s not just an Erik ten Hag favourite
United backed Ten Hag last summer and allowed him to sign both Mazraoui and De Ligt from Bayern.
Ten Hag had worked with the duo in the past, but his track record with those signings has been a little patchy.
Andre Onana has been a disappointment so far, Antony has completely flopped, Lisandro Martinez has suffered numerous injury problems, and Sofyan Amrabat’s loan was not extended.
Mazraoui has arguably been the most impressive of Ten Hag’s personal favourites, and he now appears to have become an Amorim favourite.
A versatile defender who will play a key role this season, Mazraoui could be part of Amorim’s back three or fill in as a wing-back.
Amorim prefers Mazraoui as a defender, but that flexibility could come in handy over the course of the season.
Add in the character that Amorim has spoken about, and it’s clear that Mazraoui will be a vital figure both on and off the pitch, with Ten Hag’s decision paying dividends.