Manchester United defender Noussair Mazraoui has once again demonstrated why his versatility could make him such an important player for Michael Carrick.
Rather than identifying himself with one specific position, the Moroccan international has explained that he is comfortable operating wherever the manager believes he can make the biggest contribution.
Mazraoui’s ability to perform in several defensive positions has already been one of his most valuable qualities since arriving at Manchester United.
The experienced defender has shown that he can comfortably adapt to different tactical instructions without allowing a change in position to negatively affect his performance.
Speaking about the issue, Mazraoui made it clear that he has never been the type of player who insists on occupying one particular position on the pitch.
“I’ve had this question a lot of times in my career and I’ve never had a favourite one where I’ve been like, ‘This is where I’ll play and nowhere else.’”
His comments underline the mentality that has helped him become such a useful squad player. While some defenders prefer to specialise in one position and build their entire game around it, Mazraoui appears comfortable taking on different responsibilities depending on what the team requires.
At Manchester United, supporters have already seen evidence of that flexibility.
The Moroccan has featured as a centre-back, left-back, right-back and wing-back, giving Carrick the freedom to adjust his defensive structure without necessarily needing to make another substitution.
Mazraoui himself acknowledged the variety of roles he has performed, explaining:
“You see that in a lot of games, I’m playing centre back, left back, right back, wing back, so no, I don’t have a favourite position.”
That attitude could prove extremely valuable during a long and demanding season. Manchester United are expected to compete across domestic competitions as well as in Europe, meaning Carrick will inevitably have to deal with injuries, suspensions, fixture congestion and different tactical challenges.
Having a player who can cover multiple positions provides the manager with an additional layer of security.
For example, if United lose their first-choice left-back to injury, Mazraoui can potentially fill the position without requiring Carrick to completely restructure the team. The same applies on the opposite side of the defence or in central defence.
His ability to operate as a wing-back also gives the manager another tactical option when United need additional attacking width.
Conversely, his experience at centre-back means he can provide greater defensive stability when the team needs to protect a result.
This versatility does not necessarily mean Mazraoui lacks a preferred way of playing. Instead, it highlights his willingness to prioritise the team’s needs above personal preference.
That mentality is particularly useful for a manager such as Carrick, who has shown a willingness to experiment with formations and player positions while trying to develop a flexible Manchester United side.
Mazraoui’s adaptability could therefore become one of the club’s biggest strengths throughout the campaign.
Rather than being viewed simply as a right-back or a conventional full-back, he can be regarded as a defender capable of performing several different jobs.
That makes him difficult for opponents to predict and gives Carrick more freedom when making tactical decisions.
For United supporters, the Moroccan’s comments will be encouraging. A player who is willing to accept different responsibilities, learn new roles and adjust to the manager’s tactical demands can be incredibly valuable over the course of an entire season.
As Manchester United continue preparing for the challenges ahead, Mazraoui’s versatility could ensure that he remains an important part of Carrick’s plans.
Whether he starts at centre-back, left-back, right-back or wing-back, the message from Mazraoui is simple: he is ready to play wherever Manchester United need him.
