Manchester United have signed Moroccan Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich, according to an official statement issued by the English club on Tuesday, August 13, but there is a problem that may hinder his career with the team before it begins, related to former United star Cristiano Ronaldo.
Mazraoui (26 years old) became the second Moroccan footballer to wear the Manchester United shirt throughout history, after his compatriot, defensive midfielder Sofyan Amrabat, who spent last season 2023-2024 on loan from Fiorentina of Italy to the Red Devils squad.
The deal cost Manchester United €15m, with the possibility of extending the contract – which expires in 2028 – for an additional season, as the Moroccan defender will train again under his former coach at Ajax Amsterdam, Erik ten Hag, who currently coaches United.
“It’s a great feeling to be a Manchester United player, I can’t wait to step out on to Old Trafford wearing the team’s shirt,” the player said at the press conference. “Coach Ten Hag has helped me develop, I’m grateful to him and happy to work with him again.”
Mazraoui will be required to avoid the Ronaldo curse
In fact, coach Ten Hag is a strict character, takes disciplinary action immediately, and does not tolerate players who break the rules set in the locker room. Mazraoui actually broke one of these rules before joining Manchester United.
Ten Hag does not like players to criticize him publicly in the media, and the straw that broke the camel’s back in his famous dispute with former team player Cristiano Ronaldo in 2022 was the Portuguese star’s statements and his complaint about not playing regularly.
Coach Ten Hag immediately made his decision and informed the management to give up Ronaldo in the middle of the season, and it happened.
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In Mazraoui’s case, similar statements were made by the Moroccan player in 2023 during his time with Bayern Munich, and he told Bild newspaper: “I am in a miserable situation, and I have become disappointed, I am no longer a regular player, if things continue like this, I will fight and we will see.”
means information English: A source close to Manchester United circles warned Mazraoui against repeating the Ronaldo scenario, as there is no room for leniency for coach Ten Hag in such matters, as he – in their words – rules with an iron fist and does not allow things to get out of hand.
