Manchester United have decided to keep Noussair Mazraoui at Old Trafford through the January transfer window despite growing interest from AC Milan, Juventus, and clubs in the Saudi Pro League, TEAMtalk reported.
- Squad Depth Protection: INEOS officials view Mazraoui’s multi-positional versatility as vital, making a winter sale an unacceptable risk for defensive cover.
- Transfer Window Strategy: United are prioritizing an overhaul of other defensive areas, putting the focus on moving on underperforming assets rather than parting ways with the Moroccan international.
- Contract Security: With terms running until June 2028, club leadership holds a strong negotiating position heading into 2027.
Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag originally brought Mazraoui and Matthijs de Ligt to Old Trafford from Bayern Munich in August 2024. The initial transfer fee for Mazraoui was £13 million, with potential add-ons raising the deal to £17 million. He has since made 85 appearances for the club, including eight outings this season.
Speculation surrounding his future mounted as United plan at least three signings to revamp their backline. AC Milan head coach Ruben Amorim knows the player extremely well and remains a fan, believing Mazraoui could impact his squad in Italy. Saudi chiefs also requested information regarding a potential winter deal.
Despite interest from Serie A and the Middle East, United remain unwilling to sell. Club officials believe letting the defender go would weaken their squad depth given his ability to cover both right-back and left-back.
| Player | Arrival Date | Initial Fee | Contract Expiry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noussair Mazraoui | August 2024 | £13 million | June 2028 |
| Matthijs de Ligt | August 2024 | Undisclosed | Not Listed |
While Mazraoui is set to stay, fellow right-back Diogo Dalot faces an uncertain future following heavy criticism from supporters during the fixture against Aston Villa before the international break. New head coach Mauricio Pochettino has added Villarreal right-back Alex Freeman to the club’s transfer shortlist to address the position.
United are also prepared to listen to offers for centre-back Lisandro Martinez, who has drawn interest from Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw likewise face potential exits as part of a wider defensive rebuild under Pochettino.
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