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Manchester United defender Noussair Mazraoui says cutting out fizzy drinks has helped him deliver the most consistent season of his career.
The Morocco international has made 55 appearances in all competitions this term – his highest-ever tally – surpassing his previous best of 48 for Ajax in the 2018–19 campaign.
“I’m not drinking any sodas anymore. Fizzy drinks. It changes a lot, I think, because the sugar, you don’t get it in your body anymore. So, just water makes a huge difference eventually,” he said in an interview with the Daily Mail.Â
Mazraoui took the decision himself, rather than relying on advice. “It was just to try to see if there’s any difference,” he said. “I know sugar is really bad for your body, but it’s really nice to have a little drink of it with dinner.”
The 27-year-old, who joined United from Bayern Munich last summer for $17 million, has played 2,828 Premier League minutes – more than any United outfield player apart from Bruno Fernandes – and featured in seven different positions under head coach Ruben Amorim.
“To play No. 10? Yeah, it was a surprise,” he said. “I did it a really long time ago before that moment.”
Mazaroui is still figuring out his roles as center-back and wing-back in Ruben Amorim’s system. “In the right center-back, I really like to go forward with the ball, so in the build-up and break the lines. I’m comfortable on the ball,” he said.
“Wing-back, a lot of times you come in a right wing position. For that, you really need like Amad one-v-one skill. That’s maybe not my biggest strength.”
Mazraoui admitted adapting to Amorim’s system took time, especially in his roles, but says the structure is now more familiar.
“In the beginning, some things were not going automatically… But after a couple of months, everybody knows what to do.”
Despite United’s struggles in the league – they currently sit 16th after an eight-game winless run – Mazraoui believes victory in the upcoming Europa League final against Tottenham would define the season.
“Winning a trophy is never easy,” he said. “If we win on Wednesday, I think that’s what you’re going to remember more than the failure in the Premier League.”
Should United beat Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final, Mazraoui will “of course” allow himself some alcohol-free sugary reward.
