Noussair Mazraoui absent from Manchester United training ahead of Brentford clash

The Red Devils’ first team have called up youth team player Sam Mather for training.

Due to a visible fitness concern with Noussair Mazraoui, Manchester United selected young Sam Mather to practice with the first squad ahead of the Brentford clash.

The only senior outfield players missing from the club’s midweek training sessions’ images and video were Mazraoui and fellow defender Lisandro Martinez.

Martinez is using individual workouts to accelerate his recuperation from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury he suffered on February 2 against Crystal Palace.

Meanwhile, Mazraoui made his injury comeback against Burnley last month. He has since started for United in both of their Premier League games against Chelsea and Manchester City.

Youth player Sam Mather trains with the Manchester United first-team squad

However, Mather, the FA Youth Cup champion, had the chance to train with the first squad on Tuesday when the Morocco international was not present for United’s practice session. Ruben Amorim, United’s head manager, will give Mazraoui’s fitness status on Friday.

The winger featured just four minutes for League Two Tranmere Rovers on loan earlier this year after joining National League team Rochdale on loan during the 2024 winter transfer window.

Because of his versatility, Mather was able to cover for Mazraoui on the right wing during the training.

When United Under-21 defeated Athletic Bilbao in the Premier League International Cup on Wednesday night at Old Trafford, the academy product was left out of the team. In May 2024, Mather was signed by the SEG International agency by Kees Vos, the agent of Erik ten Hag.

Mather played in United’s 3-0 loss to Liverpool in South Carolina last year and was a member of Ten Hag’s final preseason tour squad.

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