Carrick: Nous deserves credit
Michael Carrick says Noussair Mazraoui has been ‘fantastic’ around Carrington, after returning from Africa Cup of Nations duty.
The defender will no doubt have been devastated at losing in the final with hosts Morocco.
The Atlas Lions were beaten in extra-time by Senegal, following a dramatic denouement to the month-long tournament.
Morocco had the opportunity to clinch the game, and a first trophy since 1976, when Brahim Diaz stepped up to take a last-gasp penalty in Rabat.
But the Real Madrid man saw his cheeky effort saved by Edouard Mendy, and Senegal’s Pape Gueye scored a sensational winner during the additional 30 minutes to break Moroccan hearts.
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Nous was given some extra time off to recover, having started all seven games in the competition for his country, but made his United return as a late substitute in Sunday’s win at Arsenal.
Our head coach says it’s credit that 28-year-old has come home and slotted straight back into the squad, following such a setback.
“Yeah he’s come back well, Nous,” he said. “It was a difficult one, obviously, on the back of the final and how it panned out.
“[He had] a few days to digest that then back in and around it. He’s been fantastic in and around the group and around training.
“Obviously, he came on at the end of the game and played a part for us, as you’d expect.
“So yeah, again [we want to] just keep thickening the squad, bolstering the squad and it’s great to have him back.”