Birthday boy Noussair Mazraoui has explained where he get his on-field aggression from.
The Manchester United defender, who turns 28 today (Friday), always displays real tenacity when representing the Reds, and it is something that has endeared him to the club's supporters.
Whether as part of the three-man defence, or at wing-back, the Morocco international appears to love the physical side of the game and enjoys to battle with opponents.
So, where does this combative nature stem from?
He had the answer for the next edition of United Review, the official matchday programme for the upcoming Everton clash.
“I was, kind of, always the smallest,”
he revealed. “I was more technical, like also, defending wise, I couldn't be too aggressive because, with just one push, then they would beat me.
”So, I think that, through time, it's being stronger. I think that came more and more into my style of play and I just love to win duels because I know that's maybe not the most fancy part, or the most fancy job in football, or the most appreciated job in football, but, for the team, that makes a huge difference.
“If you win a duel, [it's] instead of running back with a 30-metre sprint, if I lose my duel. Instead of that, the other one can save his energy and use this 30-metre sprint to go on the attack. And that is why I love to be aggressive in the matches.”
Although Mazraoui has only made five appearances so far this term, he played in our most recent fixtures, the draws at Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur.
And, in his outing before those two on the road, he was outstanding from the outset in the victory over Chelsea at Old Trafford.
It was a performance he was rightly pleased with, as Ruben Amorim's men ran out 2-1 winners in September.
Noussair Mazraoui set the tone against Chelsea, with this challenge just after a minute in.
“Well, it was a big game,”
he recalled. “A lot of pressure again, not just the game, the game is huge, but also we didn't have the results that we wanted or needed before that.
”So, it was a really important game and I just went in there and [I was] talking to myself, [saying] that today is the day where I have to put a lot of energy because I played as a wing-back. A lot of energy to be everywhere, basically attacking and defending, in their box and also in our own box, to make, on both sides, the difference.
“And I think, not just me, the whole team, we were on top of them from the first whistle.”
We'd like to wish Nous a happy birthday as he is away with the Morocco squad, with preparations continuing for their hosting of the Africa Cup of Nations, which kicks off next month.
The Atlas Lions are facing Mozambique in a friendly during this break.