During his pre-match press conference, Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag provided an update on the squad’s fitness ahead of the weekend’s crucial fixture. The Dutchman announced that Moroccan full-back Noussair Mazraoui is now available for selection, having returned from a short injury spell. Mazraoui’s return is a timely boost for United, with the team looking to solidify their defense as they chase a spot in the top four.
“We’re glad to have Noussair back,” said ten Hag. “He’s been working hard in training and is ready to contribute to the squad again.”
However, not all the news was positive. Ten Hag confirmed that young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo and experienced defender Harry Maguire will both be sidelined for a few weeks due to injuries.
“Kobbie is an exciting player with a lot of potential, so it’s disappointing for him to miss out at this stage. Harry too—he’s a leader in the dressing room. We’ll have to manage without them for a while, but we have a deep squad, and I trust the players we have.”
With important fixtures on the horizon, United will be forced to navigate through the coming weeks without two key figures, but the return of Mazraoui could offer some much-needed stability in their defensive setup.
