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Michael Carrick Faces Huge Issue As Noussair Mazraoui Becomes Latest Doubt
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- Michael Carrick Faces Huge Issue As Noussair Mazraoui Becomes Latest Doubt
What will be Man Utd 's best XI after the international break?
Despite a rocky start to the season, several Manchester United first-teamers were called up to their international sides for the extended break in September and October.
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Unlike previous seasons, this international break allows countries to play four games, as the first two breaks of the campaign were combined into one extended period.
While this allowed for some teams to build more momentum, it appears to have been more of a negative for United, given they only picked up five points from five Premier League games and were eliminated from the Carabao Cup by Brighton and Hove Albion .
However, one positive is that Carlos Baleba could make his debut after the international break, after being named among the substitutes in the 1-1 draw against Fulham . Amad could be another to return and make his first appearance of the season.
Mazraoui among injury doubts
Amad and Baleba returning to action will be a boost for Michael Carrick, but their involvement is quickly becoming necessary, with so many injuries over the international period.
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Noussair Mazraoui is the latest first-teamer to be forced off through injury as his Morocco side won 2-0 against Lesotho in AFCON qualifying.
The full-back scored in Morocco's previous match while playing at left-back , but now looks set for some time on the sidelines.
Before the break began, Karl Darlow , Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford pulled out of their international squads through injury, while Patrick Dorgu , Bruno Fernandes and now Mazraoui have all suffered issues for their countries.
Fernandes has since returned to training for Portugal, but has reportedly been managing an issue since the 4-0 Champions League win against Sabah FK – a game in which many Manchester United fans were surprised he played 90 minutes.
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Who replaces Mazraoui?
Luckily for Michael Carrick, Mazraoui was unlikely to start after the international break against Tottenham Hotspur , with Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw much more likely to earn a start, but the head coach will still need to find a replacement on the bench.
Harry Amass seems the most obvious contender for Mazraoui's place. He is a natural left-back and has impressed for Manchester United's first team in the past, despite a lack of opportunities more recently.
The former Watford youngster looked set to leave Old Trafford this summer, with Burnley named as one potential destination, but deadline day came and went without a strong enough bid.
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Amass is yet to be named on a Premier League bench this season, but he played 18 minutes in the 4-0 win against Sabah FK. He also looked close to coming on against Brighton in the EFL Cup when Mazraoui took a blow to the stomach.
If Carrick wanted to look at other full-back options, he may turn towards Jaydan Kamason, who impressed in pre-season from right-back, or Jack Fletcher . The England youth international is a natural central midfielder, but has played at left-back before, and could offer a new dynamic out wide, although his wide defending needs to improve if he is going to be a regular option.
