Noussair Mazraoui has probably been Manchester United’s best defender so far this season and in difficult circumstances, he has made a solid start to his Old Trafford career, but that doesn’t stop the question being asked of whether the club’s new recruitment structure would have been better off looking elsewhere this summer.
The right-back joined United from Bayern Munich in a deal that could reach £17m and has started all but two of the first 10 games of the season. While he was touted as a versatile option when signing, the reality is the 26-year-old has only ever played 10 games at left-back in his career.
His signing was made possible by the sale of Aaron Wan-Bissaka to West Ham and at this stage Mazraoui looks a more natural fit in Erik ten Hag’s system, but spending £17m on a right-back has left United desperately short on the left again. When everyone is fit Ten Hag could have two right-backs and two left-backs.
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But having everyone fit remains an ambition only for the left side of the defence. Tyrell Malacia hasn’t played since May 2023 and Luke Shaw hasn’t featured for United since February. Both are edging closer to a return and could be back by the end of October, but with their fitness records, there is no guarantee over how long their availability will last.
The February 18 win was the last time Ten Hag was able to field a natural left-back and in 62 games since the start of last season someone has had to play out of position at left-back on 47 occasions. It is no surprise that flank is being exposed, with both of Porto’s first-half goals on Thursday coming from attacks down their right.
It was noticeable that Porto’s midfielders would often ignore players in space on their left to move the ball to the right. It might have been more congested but it was clear they felt there was a weakness that could be exposed and they were right.
Speaking ahead of this weekend’s trip to Aston Villa, Ten Hag explained why it was Dalot taking up the makeshift role rather than Mazraoui.
“I think they (Mazraoui and Dalot) can both play [at left back]. But for the patterns, I prefer this moment to Diogo,” he said. “But both, of course, are right full backs.
“And that is another area where we have a personal issue and already for a long time we have a personal issue there. So definitely we will improve as a team when we get a consistent left-footed left full back.
“We are waiting for Luke Shaw, we are waiting for Tyrell Malacia to return in the squad because that will definitely help with consistent performance levels.”
But United knew about the fitness issues affecting their left-backs this summer. With Dalot’s availability rarely ever a problem and centre-backs who would find it easier to cover on the right, the priority should have been signing a fit left-back, even if it meant another loan deal, such as for Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell.
Instead, United took the gamble that they could muddle through, but as Porto’s attacking patterns showed on Thursday, everybody knows that left-back is now an area of vulnerability for this team.
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