Morocco's Noussair Mazraoui ready to 'give everything' to win trophies with Man United

Full-back and Dutch defender Matthijs de Ligt complete double move from Bayern Munich

Noussair Mazraoui, left, has joined Manchester United after two seasons at Bayern Munich. AP

Morocco full-back Noussair Mazraoui said he is determined to help Manchester United win trophies after completing a move to the Premier League club alongside Dutch defender Matthijs de Ligt on Tuesday.

Mazraoui and De Ligt both joined United from German giants Bayern Munich for a combined fee that could be worth a reported £60 million ($77.2m). It is understood that Netherlands international De Ligt cost United £38.5m plus £4.3m in add-ons, while the deal for Mazraoui is worth £17.2m.

Mazraoui has signed a four-year contract and arrives at Old Trafford following two years at Bayern. He came through the Ajax youth academy in the Netherlands and played under United manager Erik ten Hag for four seasons at the Amsterdam club.

“It’s an incredible feeling to be a Manchester United player, and I cannot wait to walk out at Old Trafford wearing the red shirt," Mazraoui, 26, said. "I know that I’m joining the club at an exciting time; everyone I’ve spoken to has the same ambition for us to win trophies together and I can feel the determination to achieve that.

“Erik ten Hag played an important part in my development as a player, so it is exciting to be reuniting with him as I enter the prime years of my career. I know what he expects from his players, and I will give everything to help the group be successful.”

Mazraoui has made 28 appearances for the Morocco national team and was a key player in their historic run to the Qatar World Cup semi-finals in 2022. Capable of playing on either flank as a full-back, he is usually used on the left for the Atlas Lions to accommodate Achraf Hakimi on the right.

Mazraoui has won six major trophies in his career: three Eredivisie titles and two Dutch Cups with Ajax and one Bundesliga with Bayern. He is the second Moroccan to play for United following midfielder Sofyan Amrabat's year-long loan spell from Fiorentina last season.

“Noussair is a dynamic, attacking full-back who can play on both the right and left side of defence. His experience and versatility will make him an excellent addition to our squad," said United sporting director Dan Ashworth.

“Having already won a number of trophies in his career, we know that Noussair’s winning mentality will be a real asset to the group as we work together to deliver the success required of Manchester United.”

De Ligt, who has signed a five-year contract with United, will also reunite with Ten Hag at Old Trafford. Like Mazraoui, De Ligt emerged from the Ajax academy and quickly became a key player in the senior side. He was appointed captain while still a teenager and was the leader of the team that reached the 2018/19 Uefa Champions League semi-finals.

The Dutch defender moved to Juventus that summer for an initial €75m ($82.5m) and spent three years in Turin before completing another big-money move to Bayern in 2022 worth an initial €67m.

However, De Ligt found himself behind Dayot Upamecano and Kim Min-jae in former Bayern manager Thomas Tuchel's defensive pecking order last season, although he regained his place in the team towards the end of the campaign.

“As soon as I heard that Manchester United wanted me, I felt an excitement about the opportunity for a new challenge at such an historic club," De Ligt, 25, said. "In the conversations that followed, I was impressed by the vision that the football leadership set out and the role they saw for me in it.

“Erik ten Hag shaped the early stages of my career, so he knows how to get the best out of me and I cannot wait to work with him again. I know what it takes to succeed at the highest level, and I’m determined to continue that record at this special club.”

De Ligt, who won the 2019 Kopa trophy for the best young footballer in the world, has made 324 club appearances and has 45 international caps for the Netherlands. He has won five major club trophies: one Dutch league title and one Dutch Cup with Ajax, the Serie A title and Coppa Italia with Juventus, and the Bundesliga with Bayern.

“Matthijs is an outstanding defender and proven winner who will add quality, experience and leadership to our existing group of senior players," said Ashworth.

“He has already enjoyed considerable success in his career, and we are convinced that his best years are still ahead; we want to help him achieve them at Manchester United.”

United begin their 2024/25 Premier League season at home against Fulham on Friday night.