Rabat – Moroccan international Noussair Mazraoui is moving closer to returning to action with Manchester United after making progress in his recovery from injury, offering encouraging news ahead of the team’s Premier League clash against Leeds United on Sunday.
Manchester United coach Michael Carrick provided an update on the Moroccan defender’s condition during a press conference on Friday, confirming that Mazraoui had resumed some training activities and was approaching a return to the squad.
Carrick expressed optimism about the Mazraoui’s recovery, although he stopped short of confirming whether Mazraoui would feature against Leeds.
“We hope to have Noussair back with us. He has done some training and will be back around the group, which is a good step in the right direction for us,” Carrick said, according to the report, citing Manchester United’s official website.
The update comes after Mazraoui missed several matches following an injury sustained while representing Morocco during the latest international break.
The setback prevented the Moroccan defender from participating in Manchester United’s encounters against Tottenham Hotspur and Atletico Madrid, with the English club suffering a defeat against the Spanish side on Tuesday.
His absence has added to Manchester United’s defensive difficulties, particularly on the left side, where the team has also been without Luke Shaw and Patrick Dorgu.
The shortage of available players forced Carrick to adjust his defensive options, including deploying young defender Ayden Heaven at left-back during the match against Atletico Madrid.
Mazraoui’s potential return could therefore provide Manchester United with additional defensive options ahead of a demanding period of fixtures. However, despite the positive signs, his participation against Leeds United remains uncertain.
Carrick has not provided a definite timeline for the Moroccan international’s return to competitive action, suggesting that the coaching staff will continue monitoring his fitness before making a final decision.
Mazraoui’s journey and importance to Manchester United
Mazraoui joined Manchester United from Bayern Munich in August 2024, bringing experience from European football’s top competitions. Before moving to England, he played for Ajax and Bayern Munich, establishing himself as a versatile defender capable of operating on both sides of the backline.
The Moroccan international has also played an important role for the Atlas Lions, notably during their historic campaign at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Morocco became the first African and Arab country to reach the semifinals of the tournament, with Mazraoui among the players who contributed to that achievement.
His latest injury came during the October international break, adding to Manchester United’s defensive concerns at a time when the club was already dealing with several absences.
With Luke Shaw and Patrick Dorgu also unavailable, Carrick has had to explore alternative defensive arrangements. Mazraoui’s versatility could help address those challenges once he returns to full fitness.
For both Manchester United and Morocco, his recovery represents an encouraging development, although the priority remains ensuring that he is physically ready before returning to competitive action.
Manchester United will face Leeds United on Sunday, with Mazraoui’s possible inclusion in the squad depending on his progress in training and the medical staff’s final assessment.
