Manchester United’s summer signing Noussair Mazraoui has been dealt a setback after being forced off at half-time during the team’s recent 0-0 draw against Aston Villa. The right-back, who has quickly established himself as a key figure in United’s defense, was replaced by Victor Lindelof for the second half of the match.
Now, it has been confirmed that Mazraoui will not feature for Morocco in their upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against the Central African Republic on October 12 and 15, as a result of this injury.
Mazraoui’s absence is another blow for Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag, who is already navigating an injury crisis within his squad.
United’s defensive issues worsened after Harry Maguire limped off during the same fixture against Aston Villa, and promising winger Alejandro Garnacho has also been sidelined, withdrawing from the Argentina squad due to a knee injury.
To add to Ten Hag’s mounting concerns, midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has pulled out of the England squad because of an injury. These latest setbacks come after a string of injuries last season that severely impacted United’s campaign, and this year is already beginning to follow a similar pattern. Other players currently sidelined include Leny Yoro, Tyrell Malacia, Luke Shaw, and Mason Mount.
Mazraoui, who joined United from Bayern Munich during the summer transfer window, has been one of the few bright spots in what has been a challenging season for the club. In just 10 appearances across all competitions, the 26-year-old has made the right-back position his own, impressing with his solid defensive performances and his ability to contribute going forward.
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His arrival was seen as a major upgrade to United’s backline, and his absence will be sorely felt as Ten Hag attempts to steady the ship in a difficult start to the season.
Currently sitting 14th in the Premier League after seven matches, United are in dire need of a turnaround in form. Injuries to key players have not made this task any easier, but there is hope that some of the sidelined stars will recover in time for their upcoming fixtures.
United will face Brentford at Old Trafford on October 19, and fans will be eager to see if Maguire, Garnacho, Mainoo, and Mazraoui can recover in time to play a part.
With United already trailing behind in the league, Ten Hag will be hoping for a swift return to fitness for his injured players. The squad has been heavily affected by absences in the early stages of the season, and the manager will be all too aware of the importance of avoiding another injury-riddled campaign.
Last season, United were plagued by a string of injuries that disrupted their progress, and Ten Hag will be keen to avoid a repeat of that misfortune as he aims to bring consistency and stability back to the team.
Mazraoui’s injury is a particularly frustrating development, given his strong start to life at Old Trafford. The Moroccan international has been one of the few standout performers in a season that has otherwise been underwhelming for United.
As they prepare for a crucial stretch of fixtures, Ten Hag and the team will be hoping that their luck on the injury front begins to improve. For now, the focus will be on getting Mazraoui and his fellow injured teammates back to full fitness, as United look to reignite their Premier League campaign and climb up the table.