Manchester United star Noussair Mazraoui undergoes surgery after being diagnosed with heart condition

Manchester United star Noussair Mazraoui has undergone surgery after experiencing heart palpitations and will be out of action for the next few weeks.

Mazraoui was forced off at the midway stage in United’s goalless draw with Aston Villa in the Premier League, with Victor Lindelof coming on in his place at right-back.

The 26-year-old, who was making his tenth appearance for the Red Devils following a summer move from Bayern Munich, subsequently pulled out of Morocco’s squad for the side’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against the Central African Republic.

According to Manchester Evening News’ Samuel Luckhurst, Mazraoui complained of heart palpitations and went under the knife for a ‘minor precautionary procedure’ to correct the problem.

Mazraoui is likely to be unavailable for at least a month, with United set to be without the Morocco international for their meeting with Brentford at Old Trafford on October 19.

In January 2023, Mazraoui was diagnosed with an inflammation of heart tissue after suffering from Covid-19 at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, which meant he was sidelined for around six weeks.

‘Noussair Mazraoui is out initially after a Covid infection,’ a statement from Bayern Munich read at the time.

‘A follow-up examination in Munich after the World Cup revealed a mild inflammation of the pericardium, which the defender will now cure.’

Harry Maguire was also forced off in last Sunday’s stalemate at Villa Park and the centre-back, formerly United’s captain, has since confirmed that he will be unavailable for a number of weeks.

‘Frustrated to pick up an injury at the weekend,’ the England international told his followers on Instagram on Tuesday.

‘Will be a few weeks on the sideline for me but I’ll come back stronger.’

An under-pressure Erik ten Hag has been dealt a number of fitness concerns at this early stage of the season, especially in defence, where the club are still without Leny Yoro (ankle), Luke Shaw (calf), Tyrell Malacia (knee).

There are also doubts surrounding Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo’s potential involvement against Brentford in just over a weeks’ time, with the duo pulling out of their respective national squads through injury.

Mainoo came off in the closing stages versus Villa and is struggling with a thigh problem, while Garnacho has picked up a knee injury.

‘I’ve had knee problems for the last two games and I won’t be able to be with the [Argentina] national team,’ Garnacho wrote on his Instagram page on Monday.

‘But I hope to recover quickly and be on the next date [against Paraguay and Peru in November].’

Amad, meanwhile, had been due to feature for the Ivory Coast against Sierra Leone but was excused due to ‘health reasons’ and has returned to Manchester for further tests.

It has been a wretched start to the 2024/25 season for United, with the club languishing down in 14th place in the English top flight.

Ten Hag guided the club to eighth, their lowest ever finish in the Premier League, last term and their start this season is their worst since the division – as we now know it – began.

But a defiant Ten Hag retains the backing of United’s hierarchy for the time being, despite rumours and speculation swirling over his future.

It’s understood former Chelsea and Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel is among the frontrunners to succeed should the Dutchman be relieved of his duties.

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.