Peter Schmeichel slams Noussair Mazraoui after Manchester United’s defensive collapse against Como

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel has criticised Moroccan international Noussair Mazraoui following Manchester United’s disappointing defensive performance against Italian side Como in the third round of the Champions League group stage.

The English side conceded four goals in the encounter, prompting questions about the organisation and effectiveness of their backline, with Schmeichel pointing to individual mistakes and defensive shortcomings as key factors behind the scoreline.

Speaking during his analysis on CBS Sports, the former Denmark international specifically questioned Mazraoui’s defensive contribution, expressing dissatisfaction with the Moroccan’s performance in both the left-back and right-back positions.

Schmeichel highlighted Mazraoui’s positioning during a passage of play that led to Como’s second goal, arguing that the defender’s failure to maintain the appropriate defensive position exposed weaknesses that the Italian side was able to exploit.

The former United shot-stopper suggested that the Moroccan defender had not done enough to prevent the opposition from creating dangerous situations, adding to the growing concerns surrounding Manchester United’s defensive reliability.

Mazraoui’s versatility has made him a useful option across the backline, but Schmeichel’s assessment suggests that his positioning and defensive decision-making came under particular scrutiny during the encounter.

The criticism also raises questions about Manchester United’s overall defensive structure, especially their ability to maintain concentration and organisation when opponents put them under sustained pressure.

Schmeichel was equally concerned about the situation surrounding Dutch defender Matthijs de Ligt, questioning his readiness to contribute after a prolonged period without competitive action.

According to the former goalkeeper, De Ligt had not played since November of the previous season and had fallen out of favour before being relegated to the bench against Leeds. Schmeichel also claimed that the defender had not participated in team training during the period in question, raising further doubts about his match fitness.

His comments underline the challenges facing Manchester United as they attempt to find the right defensive combination and ensure that their available players are sufficiently prepared for the demands of competitive football.

For Mazraoui, the criticism represents another challenge as he looks to establish himself as a dependable figure in the defensive line. The Moroccan international will be expected to respond on the pitch, particularly by improving his positioning, defensive awareness and ability to deal with opponents in one-on-one situations.

Manchester United must also address the collective problems exposed by the encounter, as individual errors and weaknesses in defensive coordination can quickly prove costly against opponents capable of exploiting spaces.

Schmeichel’s assessment has therefore placed renewed attention on both Mazraoui’s contribution and the broader defensive issues confronting Manchester United, with the team facing pressure to deliver a more convincing performance in their upcoming fixtures.