Manchester United have a near fully fit squad for the season opener against Arsenal, with a couple of exceptions.
Benjamin Sesko’s first full Manchester United training session was accompanied by a double boost, with Joshua Zirkzee and Andre Onana returning to the group.
Aside from long-term absentee Lisandro Martinez, this left just one conspicuous absence from the first team squad, a player who has not played a single minute in pre-season and still remains sidelined; Noussair Mazraoui.
Bruno Fernandes and Noussair Mazraoui chat as they board plane
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Noussair Mazraoui latest
Manchester United have been without Noussair Mazraoui throughout pre-season, although he has travelled with the team.
Mazraoui is reported by Premier Injuries to be suffering with a hamstring strain. United are taking no chances when it comes to the Moroccan’s fitness.
He was pictured training with the team at Carrington prior to the US tour.
While possible he could return to training later this week, as it stands Mazraoui is on course to miss Manchester United’s opening game.
This would be a contrast to 12 months earlier when he went straight into the United team as a starter against Fulham at Old Trafford, having clinched his move from Bayern Munich days earlier.
Noussair Mazraoui heatmap and stats
Noussair Mazraoui heatmap and stats
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Noussair Mazraoui must fight for his place
Mazraoui was a regular player in the United team last season, playing a total of 57 matches in all competitions for the club, per Sofascore, despite having a worrying injury history at Bayern Munich.
His versatility led to him being selected at centre-back, left-back, right-back, and even bizarrely as a number 10 by Erik ten Hag.
When fully fit, Mazraoui faces a tricky task to force his way back into Ruben Amorim’s starting line-up on a regular basis.
Amad appears to have nailed down the starting spot at wing-back, while Leny Yoro has started every game in pre-season on the right side of the back three.
Amorim is a big admirer of Mazraoui, labelling him ‘United’s future’, but at present it is tricky to see where he fits into his first choice starting XI.
Mazraoui will get opportunities, he is a dependable player who United need, but he has to fight for his spot once he is fully fit.