Manchester United fans are on edge as concerns mount over the fitness of Noussair Mazraoui, who was conspicuously absent from Thursday’s crucial training session. The absence of the star defender raises alarm bells just days ahead of the pivotal clash against Brentford. Meanwhile, there is a silver lining for manager Ruben Amorim: Diogo Dalot has made a triumphant return after overcoming an injury sustained on international duty earlier this month. The Portuguese right-back was seen back in action at Carrington, joining his teammates for training.
But the excitement for Dalot’s comeback is overshadowed by the uncertainty surrounding Mazraoui. According to reports from respected journalist Samuel Luckhurst, the Moroccan international’s absence from training is causing widespread concern, and fans are left anxiously awaiting an update from Amorim during Friday’s pre-match press conference. With the match against Brentford looming, Mazraoui’s availability remains highly questionable.
Mazraoui’s season has already been marred by injury, causing him to miss the first three fixtures. He made a brief return in a thrilling 3-2 victory over Burnley, but since then, he has played in both high-stakes matches against Manchester City and Chelsea. His versatility has made him a vital asset to United’s lineup, with insiders praising him as one of the club’s best signings in recent years following his move from Bayern Munich in the summer of 2024, orchestrated by his former Ajax manager, Erik ten Hag.
Despite Ten Hag’s departure last October, Mazraoui has remained an integral part of the squad, earning the trust of Amorim, who values his adaptability. The 27-year-old has showcased his skills as a wingback and a center-back in the manager’s tactical setup, predominantly on the right side of a 3-4-2-1 formation.
In light of Mazraoui’s uncertain status, Amorim has taken proactive measures by promoting 21-year-old Sam Mather from the U21 squad to fill the gap in training. Mather, a promising product of the United academy, has had a taste of first-team action with loan spells at Rochdale and Tranmere, and this season, he has already made a mark in the Premier League 2 with two assists in just two appearances.
As the clock ticks down to Saturday’s match, United supporters are left holding their breath, hoping for good news regarding Mazraoui’s fitness while keeping an eye on the emerging talent of Mather. The stakes are high, and the tension is palpable as the team gears up for what promises to be an electrifying encounter against Brentford.
