Ruben Amorim’s home debut went better than his managerial debut at Manchester United as his team came back from a deficit to win against Bodo 3-2.
It gives Man Utd their second-consecutive win in the Europa League and puts them in genuine contention to finish in the top-eight and skip a stage in the knockouts.
Rasmus Hojlund marked his return to the starting XI with two goals and his industriousness allowed Alejandro Garnacho to score a third.
The game wasn’t without any hiccups as the “suffering” that Amorim predicted for his team was on clear display as Bodo made it difficult.
However, amidst the chaos and the changes, one player has emerged as Amorim’s untouchable despite it being just two games into his tenure.
Noussair Mazraoui flawless again
Amorim made six changes to the team that drew vs Ipswich, with even Amad, the hero of the Ipswich game, coming out of the side.
Amorim stood by his pre-match prediction of rotating the team heavily and some forgotten men made an appearance and in the case of Tyrell Malacia, perhaps made it sooner than they should have.
Of the four outfielders who kept their place, Noussair Mazraoui was the one who continued starting in a position that is not naturally his.
Nobody could have said that while watching the Moroccan as he picked up from where he left off in defence, twisting and turning out of trouble, calm in defence, slick in passing, adventurous in attack, and a picture of composure.
Ruben Amorim declared him an “incredible” player, saying “he’s here to stay” in a remarkable endorsement of the player.
Amorim said: “Wow. He’s an incredible player. He is our future. He always looks fresh, even if we have to be careful with every game. He’s the kind of player we need.
“That kind of player, he’s here to stay.”
Wes Brown echoed that sentiment on MUTV after the game, picking Mazraoui as his standout player of the game, pointing out his athleticism and how comfortable he is getting up and down the pitch.
Brown said: “Mazraoui looked so comfortable and he gets out of trouble very easily. He was the standout player for me and has been all season.”
Fellow pundit Ben Thornley agreed, calling Mazraoui an “outstanding” addition to the team, and praising him for remaining in top form since he arrived.
En route to becoming one of Man Utd’s best signing
United signed five players in the summer and out of those, Mazraoui had already become the signing of the summer even when the team struggled under Erik ten Hag.
Every good performance from here just strengthens his case of becoming one of United’s best signings of all time which sounds like hyperbole but is actually making sense.
Considering the context of his price tag, and the fact that he was effectively a bonus in the deal of Matthijs de Ligt, what Mazraoui has done for the club so far has been unbelievable.
He has already played in four positions since arriving at the club and most importantly, soothed the fans’ biggest worry about him- his injuries.
Mazraoui has been ever dependable and available as the manager has changed, his role has changed, his position has been shifted, and the instructions to him have constantly shifted.
United have an elite player in their ranks and if he keeps this up, he will end up as one of United’s best-ever signings.
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