Alarm bells at Man Utd as Ten Hag signing misses training; 21-yo promoted to replace him

Noussair Mazraoui skips Man Utd training session amidst injury fears

The reporter expects Amorim to issue an update on the Moroccan star in Friday’s pre-match press conference. But in the meantime, the player’s availability for Saturday’s contest against Brentford remains doubtful.

The 27-year-old had already missed the first three Man Utd fixtures of the season with an injury. He made his return to action in the 3-2 win over Burnley, where he earned a brief cameo, before starting the last two contests against Manchester City and Chelsea.

Mazraoui is considered by some insiders as one of the club’s best signings in recent years. He made the move from Bayern Munich to United in the summer of 2024, under the orders of his former Ajax manager, Erik ten Hag.

Despite the latter’s departure in October of last year, the Morocco international remained a regular starter, with Amorim appreciating his versatility. Mazraoui has been featuring both as a wingback and a centre-back in the Portuguese manager’s 3-4-2-1 formation, filling in on both flanks, although he primarily plays on the right side.

Sam Mather joins Man United training in Mazraoui’s absence

With the former Bayern star unavailable, Amorim replaced him in training by calling up Sam Mather, a 21-year-old winger who plays for Man Utd U21.

The Salford native is a United academy product who had brief loan spells at Rochdale and Tranmere in the previous two campaigns. This season, has has thus far made two appearances in the Premier League 2, contributing with as many assists.