Manchester United is reportedly closing in on the signing of Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich. The right-back has reached a verbal agreement with the club, and the transfer is now pending the departure of a current United player. Mazraoui had initially been set to join West Ham, but the move fell through due to a disagreement over his agent’s fee. Now, as West Ham pushes to sign Aaron Wan-Bissaka from United, negotiations for Mazraoui’s arrival are being delayed. Talks are ongoing between the two clubs regarding personal terms for the deal.
Mazraoui, a Morocco international, has spent two successful seasons with Bayern Munich after joining from Ajax in 2022. During his time at Ajax, he played under United boss Erik ten Hag, winning six trophies, including three Eredivisie titles. If the deal goes through, Mazraoui will become Manchester United’s third signing of the summer, following the arrivals of Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro.
The potential signing of Mazraoui raises questions about the future of Aaron Wan-Bissaka at Manchester United. Wan-Bissaka joined the club from Crystal Palace in 2019 for a fee of £50 million. However, rumors suggest that United is actively looking to sell the right-back, despite his consistent performances. It remains a mystery as to why United would be willing to part ways with a player who has made 190 appearances for the club.
In terms of player ratings, Manchester United’s recent match against Arsenal provided some insights. Andre Onana, the Cameroonian goalkeeper, received a rating of 7 for his proactive style of play. He constantly looked to start moves from the back, showcasing his abilities as a potential key player for the upcoming season. Harry Maguire, who had previously struggled with a calf injury, received a rating of 7 as he bounced back and looked free from any lingering effects. Leny Yoro, unfortunately, had a less impressive performance, losing possession in the first minute and later going off injured. Harry Amass, who played at left-back, also struggled, especially when he lost Gabriel Jesus, resulting in Arsenal’s equalizer. These performances highlight the need for United to strengthen their defensive options.
In terms of substitutions, Hannibal came on as a false nine but failed to make a significant impact. Rhys Bennett, who replaced Yoro, looked solid, but was later substituted at halftime. James Scanlon, who replaced Wan-Bissaka, was easily bypassed by Martinelli, leading to Arsenal’s winning goal. On the other hand, Jonny Evans, who came on for Maguire, provided a good presence at the back. Sam Murray, who replaced Amass, had a decent second-half performance at left-back. Maxi Oyedele, Scott McTominay, Antony, Christian Eriksen, Jadon Sancho, Ethan Wheatley, and Will Fish also made appearances as substitutes, each contributing to the game in their own way.
Overall, Manchester United’s potential signing of Noussair Mazraoui would add depth and competition to their defensive lineup. The 26-year-old’s experience under manager Erik ten Hag at Ajax could prove valuable in adapting to United’s style of play. However, the uncertainty surrounding Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s future raises questions about the club’s long-term defensive strategy. As negotiations continue and personal terms are discussed, fans eagerly await further developments in Manchester United’s summer transfer plans.