Rio Ferdinand tips Noussair Mazraoui to edge Diogo Dalot in Manchester United right-back battle under Michael Carrick

Rio Ferdinand believes Noussair Mazraoui should start next season as Manchester United’s first-choice right-back ahead of Diogo Dalot, arguing that the Morocco international has earned the role on form and confidence.

Speaking on his podcast “Rio Ferdinand Presents”, the former Manchester United defender said that, if he were in new manager Michael Carrick’s position, he would hand Mazraoui the starting spot when the 2026-27 Premier League campaign begins.

“If I was Michael Carrick, I’d pick Noussair Mazraoui to start the season ahead of Diogo Dalot, it’s as simple as that,” Ferdinand was quoted as saying by Moroccan outlet Hesport.

World Cup form key to Ferdinand’s view

Ferdinand highlighted Mazraoui’s performances at the recent World Cup as pivotal to his recommendation, stressing that the full-back returned from the tournament in peak condition.

He said Mazraoui came back “with great confidence and at a high tempo”, and suggested that such major events can transform a player’s mindset and rhythm.

“In some cases, big tournaments give players a technical and mental boost, and a smart manager knows how to make the most of that,” Ferdinand added.

The 45-year-old, who won multiple Premier League titles with Manchester United, described Mazraoui as a defender whose biggest strength is his composure under pressure. He also praised the right-back’s ability to operate in tight spaces and his assurance on the ball.

According to Ferdinand, Mazraoui has a strong grasp of when to move inside into central areas and when to hold his position wide on the right, a tactical awareness he believes would suit the style Carrick is expected to develop at Old Trafford.

Suiting a possession-based Manchester United

Ferdinand argued that Mazraoui’s attributes could be particularly valuable if Carrick seeks to impose a possession-heavy approach at Manchester United.

He suggested that calmness in possession, positional intelligence and technical quality in restricted areas are crucial for a full-back in a team looking to dominate the ball, and that Mazraoui fits that profile.

“These characteristics will be of great importance if Michael Carrick is aiming to implement a style based on control and possession at Manchester United,” Ferdinand said.

Dalot praised but warned competition must stay open

Ferdinand was careful to acknowledge Dalot’s contribution in recent seasons, insisting the Portugal international has been a dependable performer for the club.

He underlined that Dalot “has produced good levels and has been a reliable figure” in the side, but maintained that no player should be guaranteed a starting spot regardless of form.

“Football depends on readiness and current level, and no player should be assured of his place in the starting line-up,” he said, stressing that the contest for the right-back position must remain live.

Mazraoui ‘has earned the right’ to start

Ferdinand concluded that Mazraoui has “earned the right” to begin the season in Carrick’s first XI, based on his recent displays and the momentum he brings from the international stage.

He suggested that, if the defender can translate his World Cup performances into the Premier League over the course of 2026-27, he could become one of Manchester United’s standout figures in the coming campaign.

Ferdinand said that maintaining that level in England’s top flight could see Mazraoui emerge as “one of the most important players” at Old Trafford in the new season.