"The last thing Ten Hag needs" - Pundit raises questions over Manchester United's reported new signing

Former Liverpool midfielder Don Hutchison has questioned Noussair Mazraoui's injury record ahead of his reported £17 million move to Manchester United. The Red Devils are supposedly on the verge of sealing a combined £60 million double deal from Bayern Munich, which includes the right-back and Matthijs de Ligt.

These are two areas Erik ten Hag seemingly had to strengthen after Raphael Varane's exit and Aaron Wan-Bissaka's potential move to West Ham United. The problem at right-back was apparent in their 7-6 penalty shootout (1-1 FT) Community Shield defeat to Manchester City on Saturday (August 10).

Facundo Pellistri had to play a part of the game in that area after Harry Maguire went off and Diogo Dalot, the starting right-back, shifted to the left flank. In fact, it was the Uruguayan who allowed Bernardo Silva to head in the late equalizer (89').

Mazraoui seems like a potential solution for Ten Hag in that area, with the two having worked before at Ajax. But Hutchison believes it will be vital for the player to maintain fitness.

Pointing out Mazraoui's subpar injury record in recent years, the pundit said on ESPN (via HITC):

"He missed nearly 100 days last season, the season before he missed 70-odd and the season before that he missed 95. 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 ."

Mazraoui joined Bayern on a free transfer in 2022 after spending around 17 years at Ajax. But since then, the 26-year-old has struggled to become a regular starter, having featured just 26 times in their starting XI in the Bundesliga.

---

Erik ten Hag tight-lipped over two new Manchester United signings

Erik ten Hag didn't give away a lot when he was asked to provide an update on Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui's moves to Manchester United. He was asked the question following his team's defeat to Manchester City, and while he refused to provide a clear cut answer, he admitted there were problems in defense.

Lisandro Martinez had to start at left-back while Leny Yoro, their new £52 million signing, is out for an extended period of time with injury. Ten Hag said (via Metro):

"No, I can’t [when asked for an update on De Ligt and Mazraoui]. When we have some news, we will announce it. Until that point, we will work with the squad that is available. It’s clear we have the problems (in defense) and we have to work.

De Ligt played under Ten Hag from the latter's appointment at Ajax in Dec. 2017 to the player's transfer to Juventus in the summer of 2019. He made 70 appearances under the Dutchman, while Mazraoui played 137 times under him between 2017 and 2022.