Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has provided a fresh update on the fitness of one of his key players.
The Red Devils gear up to face Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup second round on Wednesday evening.
Speaking to the media, Amorim was asked about the recovery progress of defender Noussair Mazraoui.
He said (via ManUtd.com): “No, maybe he is going to return next week, we will see. But he’s near, we are just finishing some drills with him to be sure that he’s not going to have another problem.”
Mazraoui sat out the pre-season tour to the United States but has since returned to light training on the grass.
The Moroccan moved to Old Trafford from Bayern Munich in the summer of 2024, and featured 57 times across all competitions last season.
He quickly impressed with his technical quality and adaptability, filling at least six different roles under Erik ten Hag and Amorim.
The Portuguese head coach rates Mazraoui highly and included him in the six-man leadership group.
The 27-year-old is press-resistant on the ball and proactive in defending.
His comeback will hand Amorim a crucial option for rotation across the defence.
Mazraoui is perfectly suited to the right centre-back spot as he is defensively resolute and possesses the skill to play incisive passes.
Leny Yoro has done a great job in that position and he should be backed to thrive in that role.
Mazraoui and Yoro could be rotated, with both also capable of covering the left side of a back three.
We believe Mazraoui could be fit in time for the high-stakes Premier League clash with Manchester City on 14 September.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com