Rúben Amorim, already at Sporting CP, showed a special predilection for converting players, especially wingers into wingers (Nuno Santos, Catamo, Quenda, Araújo…) and full-backs into centre-backs (see Nuno Mendes or Matheus Reis…) .
A taste for versatile footballers – they allow him to vary systems without making substitutions – and with physical power – capable of repeating efforts – which, logically, he has extrapolated to Manchester United. In this sense, the great beneficiary could be Noussair Mazraoui (Leiderdorp, 11-17-1997).
The performance graph of Noussair Mazraoui.Driblab
The former Ajax and Bayern player, signed this summer for 15 million euros, can boast of being, along with Onana, De Ligt and Bruno Fernandes, the only footballer who has started in the three games that Amorim has directed: the draw with Ipswich (1-1) and the victories over Bodo/Glimt (3-2) and Everton (4-0).
The Moroccan international, playing as a central defender in the 1-3-4-2-1, has become a sort of ‘joker’ (wild card). Mazraoui, who has just been named ‘Player of the Month’ for November at United ahead of Amad Diallo and André Onana, guarantees flexibility to break lines when driving from behind and has an ideal speed to correct in defense, playing with many meters behind his back.
“We need more players like him”
“He is a top-level player. He understands the game, he knows how to attack, he is very technical, he is very good defensively and he is very good one-on-one. He is a modern player. I think he is the future of our team,” Amorim emphasized. when referring to Mazraoui.
He understands the game, he knows how to attack, he is very technical, he is very good defensively and he is very good one-on-one. He is a modern player
Ruben Amorim
Amorim’s praise for the former Bayern and Ajax player did not stop there: “When you think about him, you think that we need more players like Nous, who can control the pace, are very, very good and feel comfortable with the ball. “I am very happy with him.”
Mazraoui’s passing percentage and ball progression compared to other defenders in the big five LeaguesDriblab
A vision that fits perfectly with the definition that Mazraoui made of himself when he landed at Old Trafford: “I am a player who adapts quickly and is good under pressure. When the rival team presses high I can find ways to avoid it. I like to support to the extreme both in defense and attack.
Words that are also supported by actions. Mazraoui is, according to ‘Statman Dave’, the player who has won the most ground-level duels in the Premier (71) this season and with the best success rate (66%). Against Bodo/Glimt, for example, he was omnipresent: he came into contact with the ball 139 times, won 86% of the duels, had a pass success rate of 95%, recovered eight balls, filtered 21 passes in the final third, generated three chances… To do, he even made a clearance… a bicycle kick!!!
The aerial efficiency and the number of pressures made by Mazraoui compared to other defenders in the five major LeaguesDriblab
Amorim also highlighted his versatility: “He played in different positions, he always looks fresh.” He is right. Throughout his career he has played as a winger, winger, interior and winger on both wings. He has also played as a winger. midfield thanks to his ball handling. What’s more, in one of his last games, Ten Hag, with whom he already played at Ajax, even placed him as a midfielder!!! We will see what happens in the future with Yoro!!! fully recovered, but, for now, the present is Mazraoui’s.
