Two footballers born in the same Dutch hospital made their debuts for Manchester United in Friday’s Premier League opener at Old Trafford against Fulham, just three days after signing for the English club.
Moroccan international Noussair Mazraoui started the game, while Matthijs de Ligt came on as a substitute as United chased a winning goal. A third Netherlands-born player, Joshua Zirkzee, came off the bench to score the game's only goal.
Mazraoui, who like central defender De Ligt was born close to Amsterdam, is an experienced full-back. The 26-year-old had only three training sessions with his new teammates yet was assured in a winning side which kept a clean sheet. Had all United’s defenders been fit then it’s likely that the player signed from Bayern Munich for a fee of €15 million plus a potential €5m in add-ons wouldn’t have started so soon.
But United’s defence has been decimated by injury for over a year. On the evidence against a solid Fulham side who won the equivalent fixture last season, that fee looks a bargain. Just six minutes into the game, Mazraoui slid across and went to ground to stop Fulham going towards goal. It was a risk, but it was also excellent, clean defending.
At least they can now rely on a player who is used to the big stage. Mazraoui was a key part of the Morocco team which reached the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup. He’s also won four league titles, three with Ajax and one with Bayern Munich.
Mazraoui replaced Aaron Wan Bissaka, who joined West Ham United for a fee of £15m. United didn’t want Wan Bissaka’s contract to run down so he could leave for free, but more importantly, they wanted a different kind of player at right back.
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Manchester United's Joshua Zirkzee, right, celebrates with Marcus Rashford after scoring the winner against Fulham at Old Trafford. EPA -
Joshua Zirkzee greets fans next to assistant manager Ruud van Nistelrooy after Manchester United won their Premier League opener on Friday night. EPA -
Joshua Zirkzee scores the winner past Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno. EPA -
Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho takes on Fulham's Antonee Robinson, right, and goalkeeper Bernd Leno. EPA -
Manchester United's Joshua Zirkzee celebrates scoring on debut. EPA -
Fulham's Raul Jimenez vies for the ball with Manchester United's Matthijs de Ligt. EPA -
Manchester United's goalkeeper Andre Onana at Old Trafford on Friday, August 16, 2024. AP -
Alejandro Garnacho shoots wide at Old Trafford. AFP
Mazraoui cost less than what Wan Bissaka left for, but the transfers were more about the player United was getting. Mazraoui is a right-footed player who can play left back. Ten Hag rates him because of his high technical level; he can cross well and because he can play inside as an extra midfielder.
He views him as more than a traditional right back, one who, when in midfield, can allow one of United’s defensive midfielders – Casemiro or Kobbie Mainoo against Fulham – to move forward and support the attack.
Wan Bissaka was like a street footballer who was hard to get past and arguably the best one-on-one full-back in the league, but less effective when he had time to make choices going forward. Mazraoui is almost an opposite, more competent going forward.
The challenge for the Morocco international will be adjusting to the physical side of the game in the Premier League and the speed of some of his foes, yet he handled himself well against Fulham where his positioning was flawless.
Ten Hag knows Mazraoui well. He’s already managed him in 137 games for Ajax, and when The National asked him what he’d bring to his United side, he replied: “In English football there’s always pressure on the ball. And this player (Mazraoui) – one of his key (attributes) is that it’s very difficult to put him under pressure because he often finds solutions.”
The words around him are positive – as they usually are with every new signing. De Ligt said: “What can I tell you about Nous? He is an amazing guy, an amazing player. I've known him already for a long time. I think around 10 years now. There’s a reason we always come together, like before in Ajax, then at Bayern Munich, now at Manchester United.” The reason is that they combine well.
“It is exciting to be reuniting with him (Ten Hag) as I enter the prime years of my career,” said Mazraoui. “I know what he expects from his players, and I will give everything to help the group be successful. I think I'm a player who adapts fast, and I'm quite good under pressure. When they press high, I can find a way to come out of the press. Attacking-wise, I like to really support the winger – that's the guy who must score and give assists. I try to support him the best I can in defending and on the ball.”
United’s sporting director Dan Ashworth said: “Noussair is a dynamic, attacking full-back who can play on both the right and left side of defence. His experience and versatility will make him an excellent addition to our squad. Having already won a number of trophies in his career, we know that Noussair’s winning mentality will be a real asset to the group as we work together to deliver the success required of Manchester United.”
There were other notable performances, chiefly Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes. But Zirkzee got the headlines for his winner and, after the game, The National asked him about Mazraoui.
“He had a great game. He arrived this week and it’s not easy to come into a team and directly play the way he did,” said Zirkzee.
“I think it all looked natural and that was the most special part of his game today. But yeah, that’s just the player he is, he’s there to do his job and perform the best way he can and I think he did great today… not just because he’s my friend.”
Mazraoui will make many more friends in his new home if continues to play like he did on his debut.
