Manchester United Injury Update: Noussair Mazraoui Nears Leeds Return
Manchester United could welcome back Noussair Mazraoui for Sunday's trip to Leeds United after the defender missed the 1-1 draw with Tottenham and the 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid. Michael Carrick confirmed the Morocco international has returned to training and will be involved with the squad at Elland Road.
- Fixture: Leeds United vs Manchester United, Premier League, Sunday.
- Venue: Elland Road.
- Headline boost: Noussair Mazraoui could return after missing the Tottenham and Atletico Madrid matches.
- Under pressure: Michael Carrick has gone five matches without a win in all competitions.
- Defensive crisis: Luke Shaw was unavailable in midweek, forcing youngster Daniel Armer into the matchday squad.
- Still unclear: Luke Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo face late assessments.
What was said
"Yeah, it's a little bit stronger. Hopefully, we've got Nous back involved with us."
"He's done a little bit of training, so he'll be back around the group, which is a good step in the right direction for us."
"Every training session and every day and every kind of week that goes by, being back around the group, being on the bench again."
"[He was] back on the bench the other night, I think it was a good step for him and just a little bit of patience, a little bit of working our way through it and getting him up to speed."
"It's great to have him around. He's obviously a lot happier when being back around the group."
"He's had a tough few months that he's had to work through, and credit to him for that, for being in the place that he is now. So yeah, we're delighted to have him back involved."
Carrick's words are those of a manager managing a squad short on bodies rather than a coach with a selection headache of the positive kind. The return of Mazraoui is framed as a step, not a solution.
The tone on De Ligt is deliberately cautious. Carrick is emphasising patience and process over a swift reintroduction, which tells you the Dutchman is being eased back rather than thrown into a defence under pressure.
Injury and availability
Noussair Mazraoui: Could return to the squad for the Leeds game after missing the Tottenham and Atletico Madrid matches. Had been sidelined since picking up an injury on international duty against Lesotho. Has done a little bit of training and will be back around the group.
Matthijs de Ligt: Further behind in his recovery. Could be an option in central defence but is not being rushed. Has not played for United in almost a year. Was back on the bench in midweek, which Carrick described as a good step.
Luke Shaw: Unavailable in midweek. Carrick's update offered less certainty, with the manager effectively saying "we'll see" rather than providing a concrete timeline.
Kobbie Mainoo: Also unclear, with no concrete update from Carrick.
Lisandro Martinez: Back in the squad after apologising for his recent outburst aimed at the club's board.
Why Mazraoui's return matters more than it looks
This is not about one player transforming everything overnight. It is about having basic depth again. With Luke Shaw unavailable in midweek, United had to pull youngster Daniel Armer into the matchday squad to help cover the defensive shortage. That tells you where things stand.
Mazraoui's possible return gives Carrick flexibility, especially against a Leeds side that will test recovery runs, discipline and one-on-one defending. United have looked stretched, and when a team is short of confidence, small improvements in selection matter.
The same logic applies to De Ligt, but on a slower timescale. He has not played for United in almost a year, and a centre-back returning from that long an absence cannot be expected to slot straight into a side under pressure. Carrick's emphasis on patience is sensible, even if it leaves him short in the here and now.
Talking points
- Is Mazraoui's return enough to fix a defence that needed Daniel Armer just to make up the numbers in midweek?
- Carrick has gone five matches without a win in all competitions. How much pressure is he actually under at Elland Road?
- De Ligt has not played for United in almost a year — should he be thrown in at Leeds or held back further?
- Lisandro Martinez is back in the squad after apologising. Does that settle the defence or add another distraction?
What happens next
United travel to Elland Road on Sunday to face Leeds United in the Premier League. Carrick will assess Mazraoui, Shaw and Mainoo before naming his squad. With five matches without a win in all competitions, the result matters as much as the team sheet.
Frequently asked questions
Is Noussair Mazraoui available for Manchester United vs Leeds?
Yes, he could return to the squad. Carrick said Mazraoui has done a little bit of training and will be back around the group after missing the Tottenham and Atletico Madrid matches.
Is Matthijs de Ligt fit to start for Manchester United vs Leeds?
He is further behind in his recovery and is not being rushed. Carrick said De Ligt was back on the bench in midweek and needs a little bit of patience to get up to speed.
Why was Luke Shaw missing for Manchester United in midweek?
Carrick confirmed Shaw was unavailable in midweek, which forced United to bring youngster Daniel Armer into the matchday squad to cover the defensive shortage.
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