Noussair Mazraoui is poised to return to Manchester United in time for Sunday’s Premier League showdown with Arsenal, after Morocco’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign concludes with the final tonight against Senegal.
The 28-year-old defender, who joined from Bayern Munich last summer, has started every match of Morocco’s tournament, featuring at both left and right full-back. His last club outing for United was at centre-back, but his versatility could prove valuable for manager Michael Carrick.
Carrick, who took over as interim boss, began his reign with a commanding 2-0 victory over Manchester City on Saturday. Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu scored the goals, with Mbeumo and Amad having only recently returned from their own AFCON exploits.
The United boss now faces the challenge of facing league leaders Arsenal at Old Trafford. “Consistency is the key to any success,” Carrick said. “We’ve got a good foundation to build on.”
Mazraoui is expected to be given some time off but should be available for selection as United switch to a back four, with Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw occupying the full-back roles.
