Noussair Mazraoui’s World Cup run will continue into the quarter-finals after Morocco beat Canada 3-0 in Houston.
Reuters reported that Azzedine Ounahi scored twice before Soufiane Rahimi added the third, sending Morocco into the last eight. Morocco will now face France after Kylian Mbappe’s penalty gave Didier Deschamps’ side a 1-0 win over Paraguay.
For Manchester United, Mazraoui’s progress brings mixed value. He is playing knockout football, staying sharp and producing strong defensive numbers at a high level. His tournament run also delays his return to Carrington before Michael Carrick’s first full pre-season as manager.
ReadManUtd has already covered Mazraoui’s World Cup form and the right-back question facing Carrick this summer. Morocco’s latest win gives United another reminder of his quality, but also another planning issue.
Mazraoui’s display against Canada included 11 duels won and 10 clearances, according to OptaJoe. The statistic made him only the second Moroccan to reach double figures for both in a World Cup match, after Noureddine Naybet in 1998.
United will not complain about one of their senior defenders going deep at a World Cup. The problem is the calendar.
Carrick needs time to assess his right-back options, build fitness and settle the squad before the new season. Mazraoui’s Morocco run narrows that window.
For the player, it is a major achievement. For United, it is another July workload decision.
