Manchester United are closing in on a £17million deal for Bayern Munich defender Noussair Mazraoui.
The Red Devils have struck a double deal with the German giants that also includes a £43million deal for Matthijs de Ligt.
The defensive duo are set to join Erik ten Hag’s squad ahead of their Premier League opener against Fulham on Friday evening.
Manchester United have already added Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee to their squad this season but they still have business to complete before the window slams shut at the end of August.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka is set to complete a move to West Ham and United’s need for a new right-back was glaringly obvious in their Community Shield defeat.
The Red Devils surrendered their lead at Wembley late on when makeshift right-back Facundo Pellistri was beaten to a header by Bernardo Silva. Manchester City went on to win via penalty shootout.
United went all-in to make Noussair Mazraoui their new right-back, but there are already concerns growing about his injury record.
Noussair Mazraoui injury record
United fans will have their head in their hands at the mere mention of injuries. Setbacks to Yoro and Rasmus Hojlund this summer have already put a dampener on the excitement of a new season.
Luke Shaw was also unavailable for their trip to Wembley, so the last thing the club needs is another injury-prone defender.
Speaking on ESPN, Don Hutchison assessed Mazraoui’s injury record and warned that Ten Hag must find a way to keep the 26-year-old fit.
“He missed nearly 100 days last season, the season before he missed 70-odd and the season before that he missed 95,” Hutchison said.
“The question marks over Mazraoui are can he stay fit? The last thing Ten Hag needs is more injuries.
“So in my opinion, even though he’s a squad player and another body, he has got to make sure – Ten Hag – that Mazraoui stays fit because the last thing he needs is more players on the treatment table.”
Injury concern for Manchester United
Mazraoui isn’t the only one with a worrying injury record.
De Ligt also spent over 70 days on Bayern Munich’s treatment table last season with an injury to his knee.
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Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez and Shaw all spent stints on the sidelines last season and Ten Hag cannot afford another defensive crisis.
De Ligt and Mazraoui will be needed immediately. United’s lack of defensive depth was evident at Wembley and any more long-term injuries could throw their season into chaos – again.
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