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If reports are to be believed, Manchester United could be about to buy Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich.
Footmercato journalist Santi Aouna claims a deal is practically done and that a medical has been provisionally booked for Tuesday.
Erik ten Hag is said to want the Moroccan to play against Manchester City in Saturday’s Community Shield.
As competition for Diogo Dalot at right back and extra cover for the left back position, Mazraoui should, on paper, be a big upgrade on Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who is expected to join West Ham.
However, there is one glaring issue that represents a huge gamble for United, given the season they have just had.
The first team squad’s injury history over the past 12 months is unprecedented and so bad that many consider it to be a jinx.
Bringing in a player who himself has a very lengthy catalogue of injuries at this stage, frankly, could be asking for trouble.
As can be seen from this image from transfermarkt.com, the 26 year old is no stranger to the treatment table.
Mazraoui missed 19 games in 2023/24, 12 in 2022/23, 9 in 2021/22 and 31 in 2020/21.
To put that into context, he missed more games in each of those four seasons than former United man, Eric Bailly, who was renowned at the club for being constantly injured.
It makes the choice of Mazraoui a strange one as far as United are concerned.
He is a quality player. He is from Erik ten Hag’s favourite Ajax stable and has been brought on at another of the manager’s former haunts, Bayern Munich.
He should, therefore, have the kind of background that is well-suited to Ten Hag’s style and he is, of course, an excellent full back.
However, with one new signing, Leny Yoro, already ruled out for three months and Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw also injury prone, bringing in a player with that background could be asking for trouble a United.
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