Mazraoui: Fans can expect more from me

The defender has made a positive early impression since joining the club from Bayern Munich and being plunged into a pretty instant debut against Fulham on the opening night of the Premier League season.

After performing well in the win over the Cottagers, he has appeared in each of our following four matches, including coming off the bench in the enjoyable 7-0 victory over Barnsley in the Carabao Cup.

Fans have already taken to the Morocco international but he had a message for them during an exclusive interview with Inside United, the official club magazine.

Noussair Mazraoui relives his career path and the sacrifices he made to achieve his dream...

"I think it's really tough to come to a new club," he said. "With all the responsibilities that come with it.

"I'd just been training two times with the new players you don't know [before the Fulham opener]. Well, you know them from TV and that, but not really knowing how to play with them.

"Playing with how I played, I was really proud of myself but I think Erik [ten Hag] told it already.

"You can expect more from me because that is just the beginning. I think, when I really start to feel comfortable and I really settle in 100 per cent, it would be even better."

Mazroaui has already shown his versatility in the United shirt, popping up all over the pitch and looking very tactically flexible.

A modern full-back who can operate on either flank, the 26-year-old appreciates it is a valuable trait of his.

Playing in midfield when making his senior debut for Ajax, it is little wonder he appears so assured when in possession of the ball.

“Yeah, I was a midfielder and then, for the second team, I played one season in every position," he recalled. "From left-winger to central defender in the next game. So I’ve played everywhere and that is what really helped me now.

"Wherever I come onto the pitch, I feel comfortable. I don’t feel like ‘what do I have to do over here?’ I just know what to do with it because I’ve played already in every position so that really helped me a lot.”

The sacrifices along the way have certainly been worthwhile for Noussair, who is delighted to be representing United and looking forward to helping Ten Hag's team to achieve more success in 2024/25 and beyond.

"Every step I made, which was a move to this big club," he explained. "The move to Bayern Munich as well. These moments were the moments that you know why you work, every day, so hard.

"That is why you stand up. That is why you take on that extra, extra work. That is why you go to sleep early. Why you don’t go out. Why you don’t go out with your friends or why you don’t have that pizza you really want to have the day before the game! But it’s all worth it in the end.

"I knew I would eventually want to play in the Premier League. But to be able to play for this big club, it’s only a dream that I could never dream of. So it was not something I had already in my mind but, like I said, it’s every step. Every step for me was already a step of success and step of being proud and a step of knowing I have made another step in my career. And now Manchester United is one big step in that way.”

Subscribe to Inside United, the official magazine, here.

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