Inter Milan are assessing their options ahead of transfer deadline day, with one Manchester United star surprisingly on their radar.
Manchester United have yet to sign any players this January, with just five days left until the winter window shuts.
Unless anything changes in the final days of the January transfer window, United will wait until the summer to strengthen the squad, meaning Michael Carrick must work with the players already at his disposal in his job as head coach.
That involves getting better results than Ruben Amorim managed with a squad that was partly assembled by the Portuguese coach.
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United have got off to a flying start under Carrick following wins over Man City and Arsenal. Only time will tell if they can make it three consecutive Premier League wins when they host Fulham on Sunday.
Carrick has stuck with the same starting line-up in his first two games in charge, but he could look to make changes at the weekend. There are players like Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Noussair Mazraoui waiting for their first start under the newly appointed head coach.
Noussair Mazraoui competing with Viktor Gyokeres
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Inter Milan consider late swoop for Noussair Mazraoui
Although Mazraoui has yet to start under Carrick, it’s worth noting that the Moroccan centre-back had been away competing at AFCON.
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Diogo Dalot has started at right-back, but that could change over the coming weeks.
Carrick may be reluctant to make changes at a time when United are on a winning run. That said, Mazraoui’s experience and technical ability have served the Red Devils well in the past.
The 28-year-old shouldn’t be waiting too long for a real chance under Carrick. It’s not like United have multiple options at right-back now that the head coach is keen to play players in their preferred roles, unlike Amorim, who had Amad Diallo playing as a right wing-back.
Italian sports journalist Marco Barzaghi understands that Inter Milan are hopeful of striking a deal to sign Mazraoui before the end of the January transfer window.
Speaking to his YouTube audience, Barzaghi also acknowledged how Andre Onana’s agents reached out to Inter to try to get something lined up for the summer.
“Other names, there could be Mazraoui, the Moroccan full-back at Manchester United, formerly of Bayern Munich. Let’s see what can come out of it and what the end of the transfer window can bring us.
“They’re also already working, as we said, on the future – the goalkeeper of the future. Onana’s agent tried to rebuild relationships, but I told you that after the meeting with Emi “Dibu” Martínez’s brother and his agent – pushed by Lautaro – and with Martínez being cheaper than Vicario, I think Inter’s goalkeeper choice will be between those two, unless they decide to take a gamble on Atubolu or Caprile.
“The name of Chelsea goalkeeper Jørgensen also came up, but he seems further down the list.”
What Barzaghi and Inter Milan seem to forget is that Mazraoui is under contract and still deemed an important player at United.
Mazraoui is arguably more important now that United are playing in a back-three system, one that will suit him as it has in the past under Erik ten Hag.
It would be a major surprise if United entertained offers for a versatile player like Mazraoui midway through the season.
Mazraoui cost United an initial £12.8m to sign from Bayern Munich and it’s been a bargain ever since.
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When did Noussair Mazraoui last start a game for Man Utd?
Mazraoui’s last start for United came in December when United beat Wolves 4-1, before leaving for AFCON.
The Red Devils need a similar result this weekend when they take on Fulham, hoping to keep hold of their position in fourth place.
Mazraoui will be pushing Dalot for a starting berth against the Cottagers.
Carrick has a decision to make, one way or another.
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