Noussair Mazraoui is expected to return to Manchester United in the coming days after Morocco’s AFCON campaign ends, giving Michael Carrick a defensive boost ahead of the Arsenal clash
Michael Carrick is set to receive a timely boost ahead of the Arsenal clash(Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Michael Carrick is set to receive another quick boost to his tenure at Manchester United, with Noussair Mazraoui expected to return to Old Trafford in time to face Arsenal. Mazraoui’s Africa Cup of Nations journey will conclude tonight as host nation Morocco face off against Senegal.
Carrick’s reign got off to a flying start this weekend with a commanding 2-0 victory in the Manchester derby. Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu secured three points for United on Saturday, creating a celebratory atmosphere at the Theatre of Dreams as they clinched their first win since defeating Newcastle on Boxing Day.
Mbeumo and Amad returned to action from AFCON this week after Cameroon and Ivory Coast were knocked out at the quarter-final stage. The pair were back in training at Carrington on Wednesday, and Carrick promptly included them in his starting lineup to great success.
Carrick didn’t hesitate to reintegrate the duo and could do the same as he gears up to take on league leaders Arsenal. While Mazraoui will undoubtedly be given some time off in the coming week, with United not playing until Sunday, the defender will have a decent period to recover before returning.
Former Bayern Munich defender Mazraoui’s last appearance for United was at centre-back, but he has been deployed as a full-back throughout AFCON. The 28-year-old has started every match of Morocco’s campaign and has been utilised on both flanks.
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How he fits into Carrick’s plans remains to be seen, as United transition to a back four with Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw securing the right and left spots, respectively.
Former Middlesbrough manager Carrick has plenty on his plate ahead of the showdown with Arsenal. His introduction to Premier League management couldn’t have been more challenging.
The 44-year-old is keen to harness the aggression his team displayed against Manchester City for the remainder of the season, though he acknowledges it won’t be an easy task.
Noussair Mazraoui has helped Morocco earn their place in this year’s Africa Cup of Nations final(Image: Torbjorn Tande/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)
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“That’s the challenge ultimately and I think it needs to be a version of normal,” he shared during his press conference.
“Listen, we’re not going to have games with the emotion and feeling and everything that today brought, I think we all understand that.
“But there’s definitely levels of standards and expectations that we need to live up to from ourselves as much as anyone on the outside. I’m totally aware of that.
“Consistency is the key to any success and if you can find that, then you’re on to a winner, so that’s our challenge. You’ve got to find a way of doing that.
“Big one next week [against Arsenal], obviously another tough one. But on the back of today, we’ve got a good foundation to build on.”
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