Manchester United defender Noussair Mazraoui believes a simple lifestyle change — cutting out fizzy drinks — has been key to producing the most consistent season of his career.
The Moroccan international has featured in 55 matches across all competitions this campaign, surpassing his previous high of 48 appearances with Ajax during the 2018–19 season.
“I’m not drinking any sodas anymore. Fizzy drinks. It changes a lot, I think, because the sugar, you don’t get it in your body anymore. So, just water makes a huge difference eventually,” he said in an interview with the Daily Mail.
Notably, the decision to eliminate sugary drinks came entirely from Mazraoui himself.
“It was just to try to see if there’s any difference,” he said. “I know sugar is really bad for your body, but it’s really nice to have a little drink of it with dinner.”
The 27-year-old joined Manchester United from Bayern Munich last summer in a $17 million move. Since then, he has racked up 2,828 Premier League minutes — more than any United outfield player aside from Bruno Fernandes — and has been deployed in seven different positions under head coach Ruben Amorim.
One of the more surprising roles? “To play No. 10? Yeah, it was a surprise,” he said. “I did it a really long time ago before that moment.”
He is still getting to grips with playing as both a center-back and a wing-back in Amorim’s tactical system.
“In the right centre-back, I really like to go forward with the ball, so in the build-up and break the lines. I’m comfortable on the ball,” he said.
“Wing-back, a lot of times you come in a right wing position. For that, you really need like Amad’s one-on-one skill. That’s maybe not my biggest strength.”
Mazraoui acknowledged that adapting to Amorim’s approach took time, especially given his various responsibilities, but says the team has grown into the system.
“In the beginning, some things were not going automatically… But after a couple of months, everybody knows what to do.”
Despite United’s ongoing struggles in the Premier League — they currently sit 16th following an eight-match winless streak — Mazraoui sees a potential silver lining in Wednesday’s Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur.
“Winning a trophy is never easy,” he said. “If we win on Wednesday, I think that’s what you’re going to remember more than the failure in the Premier League.”
And if United lift the trophy? Mazraoui said he’ll allow himself a rare treat. “Of course,” he smiled, “maybe something sugary—just alcohol-free.”
