Other than a midfield signing, a left-back addition is understood to be among the top priorities at Manchester United this summer.
While Luke Shaw was available for every league game last season, however fit he proves to be next term, it will simply be too much to ask him to start every fixture.
Responsibility at left-back will need to be shared. And with Patrick Dorgu tipped for a winger role after proving a massive hit further forward, a left-back signing looks necessary.
Links to some fantastic left-backs are already emerging, with Lewis Hall understood to be the top target.
But why would Ineos still go ahead and spend £70 million on Hall, given what Noussair Mazraoui is producing for Morocco at left-back?
Mazraoui is a more-than-capable option at left-back
Morocco boast arguably the world’s best right-back in Achraf Hakimi. With the Paris Saint-Germain man the undisputed first choice on the right, Mazraoui is pushed across to left-back.
Yet watching him perform on the world stage against Brazil and then Scotland, one thing becomes abundantly clear: in the 28-year-old, United already have a capable left-back option within their ranks.
Described as “world-class” against Brazil and “imperious” versus Scotland, Mazraoui has been a massive hit at the World Cup, with the stats firmly backing up the eye test.
Mazraoui's World Cup Masterclass: The Stats Behind Morocco's Standout Star
| Stat | Figure |
|---|---|
| vs Scotland | |
| Minutes played | 90 |
| Tackles | 1 |
| Clearances | 3 |
| Recoveries | 4 |
| Defensive contributions | 4 |
| Accurate long balls | 2/2 |
| Passes into final third | 7 |
| vs Brazil | |
| Minutes played | 80 |
| Touches | 54 |
| Pass accuracy | 85% |
| Successful dribbles | 2/3 |
| Tackles | 4 |
| Clearances | 4 |
| Recoveries | 6 |
Carrick should be getting ideas
One would hope Carrick is paying close attention to what Mazraoui is doing at left-back for Morocco.
He certainly does not look like a man merely filling in. He looks like a player rediscovering a position he was born to play.
Attacks consistently die out when they reach his side. Wingers run at him and, like Barcelona’s Raphinha, quickly realise he is simply unpassable.
Mazraoui is taking one-on-one battles personally and is consistently coming out on top.
In attack and defence alike, he is dominating every aspect of the game.
Injuries hide how influential Mazraoui can be
For most of his United career, fans have been robbed of his brilliance by persistent injury setbacks that have repeatedly kept him on the sidelines.
An injury-free 2026/27 should see Mazraoui capably challenge Shaw for the left-back role, whilst also covering Diogo Dalot at right-back when needed.
Letting Shaw and Mazraoui compete, then channelling funds into bolstering other positions such as the left wing, could make this a perfect window for United.
What is more, going down the Shaw-Mazraoui route would surely open a clear pathway for Harry Amass to eventually break into this United side when the time is right.
Featured image Michael Regan via Getty Images
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1 comment
You actually said it yourself why United need to buy a left back. Luke Shaw is injury prone, despite last season which was a World cup year, you can not bank on him being so readily available, plus he isn’t the left back he was and offered very little going forward last season. Mazaroui isn’t much better on the injury front and even when fit we need cover at right back. United are going to be playing two games a week next season because of Europe, they need a squad to compete or risk burning players out and suffering more injuries.