Manchester United defender Noussair Mazraoui has described his debut season at Old Trafford as one of the most challenging periods of his professional career, as the club continues to endure one of its poorest campaigns in recent memory.
With just two matches remaining in the Premier League, the Red Devils sit a lowly 16th in the table, having accumulated only 39 points from 36 games—a stark contrast to the club’s once-formidable reputation in both domestic and European football.
Mazraoui, who arrived from Bayern Munich last August in a €15 million transfer, has spoken candidly about the emotional and mental strain of adapting to a side struggling to find its rhythm under manager Ruben Amorim.
“Am I hurting? Of course, I am,” the Moroccan international said in a media interaction this week. “I come from clubs where I’m not used to losing. I will never get used to losing wherever I am, as well as here. It’s a painful moment, but life is sometimes painful, and you just have to go through it.”
The 26-year-old right-back, known for his composed presence on the pitch and attacking instincts, was a mainstay at Ajax before joining Bayern Munich in 2022.
His move to Manchester United on 13 August 2024 was expected to bolster a defence that has faltered in recent years. Instead, Mazraoui has found himself in the midst of a turbulent campaign that has left the club fighting to avoid a bottom-half finish.
Despite the domestic disappointment, United still have an opportunity to salvage their season. The team is set to face Tottenham Hotspur in the UEFA Europa League final on Wednesday, 21 May, at the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao, Spain. A win could provide some much-needed relief for the club and offer Mazraoui his first piece of silverware in English football.
The Moroccan remains optimistic about ending the season on a high, even if the road has been unexpectedly tough. “It’s been a real test,” he admitted.
“But I still believe we can finish with something positive. Lifting a trophy at the end would mean a lot, not just for the fans, but for all of us who have been through this together.”
Mazraoui’s sentiments echo the frustration among the United faithful, who have watched their club, once a dominant force under Sir Alex Ferguson, struggle for consistency and identity in recent seasons.
Manager Ruben Amorim, who took over amid high expectations, has come under increasing pressure as the team’s results have failed to improve.
Still, the Europa League final offers a rare chance for redemption. For Mazraoui, it could serve as the beginning of a turnaround—or at least a bright spot in an otherwise difficult season.
As the curtain draws near on the 2024–25 campaign, all eyes will be on United’s performance in Spain. For players like Mazraoui, who are unaccustomed to mediocrity, the hope is that a strong finish will mark the start of a new, more resilient chapter at Old Trafford.
