Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag explains two key reasons behind Noussair Mazraoui signing

Erik ten Hag has revealed Noussair Mazraoui’s composure and versatility were key reasons behind his transfer to Manchester United.

Mazraoui completed a move to Old Trafford alongside Bayern Munich teammate Matthijs de Ligt in a double deal worth up to £60 million.

The full-back comes in as a direct replacement for Aaron Wan-Bissaka who departed for West Ham for £15m after five years at the club.

Ten Hag confirmed that both De Light and Mazraoui would be available for United’s first game of the season against Fulham on Friday and revealed that the Moroccan’s composure on the ball was a large part of the decision to sign the 26-year-old.

‘I think he is a player it is quite difficult to put him under pressure. In English football that is beneficial,’ the Dutchman said at his pre-match press conference.

‘In English football there is always pressure on the ball and one of his key attributes is that it’s very difficult to put him under pressure because he often finds solutions.

‘We can score more goals, we create many chances and it’s about being clinical, more attention in the coming weeks and months we have to improve.

‘We create so many chances but we have to take them and we have players with scoring abilities enough in the team.

‘In the other box it was too easy. We have to be more clinical there, more aggressive as well.’

Mazraoui has also played at left-back, most notably during his nation’s run to the World Cup semi-finals in 2022, and could be expected to deputise there on Friday as Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia’s injury woes continue.

‘We are looking and we can sort problems on the left side, with for instance Martinez and Diogo Dalot is are also capable of playing there,’ he added.

‘Noussar can fill the position.’

Shaw, who missed large swathes of the previous campaign, is expected to return after the September international break.

‘He will return in the short term, it doesn’t take long. We are looking forward, of course, for Luke Shaw,’ Ten Hag noted.

‘A very important player for our team so we want to get him back as soon as possible but we can’t force this process.’

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