Mazraoui details what Man Utd lack in Premier League despite Europa heroics

Manchester United can end a disastrous season with a trophy, as the Red Devils have made it to the final of the Europa League while sat two places above the Premier League relegation zone
Noussair Mazraoui says Manchester United can be proud of their season if they win the Europa League – despite their shocking Premier League form. United have suffered their worst season of the Premier League era, with Ruben Amorim's under-performing side down in 16th place, after 18 defeats this season.
But United can still salvage something from their otherwise miserable season by beating Tottenham in Wednesday's Europa League final in Bilbao. As well as lifting the trophy, the winners will also go straight into next season's Champions League, which is worth up to £100million in revenue.
‌
And although their domestic form has been pitiful, Mazraoui claimed that will largely be forgotten if Amorim's players are victorious against Spurs. 'Winning a trophy is never easy,' said Mazraoui.
‌
'I think in any case you don't downgrade that, because you have to fight hard to get into the position to win a trophy. You have to beat opponents who are strong and who are also really hungry to be in that final.
'When you look back at your career, you will look back at this season and you're going to be proud of winning the Europa League, if we win on Wednesday, more than you're going to look at the failure in the Premier League. You can be sure, for sure, you can be proud.'
In contrast to losing almost half of their Premier League games this season, United are the only team that started out in the Europa League or Champions League to remain unbeaten. It is something United defender Mazraoui cannot explain.
'That's something really tough to say, because we always manage in the Europa League to eventually win,' said the Morocco international. 'I think the biggest example was Lyon, where we were almost dead in the last 10 minutes of the game. Extra-time, everybody's tired and everything, and you still manage to win.
'I think one of the biggest differences in the Europa League and the Premier League for us this season is how to manage to win. We maybe have that kind of fighting spirit in the Europa League that we maybe lack in the Premier League.'
‌
Mazraoui was signed by former United manager Erik ten Hag, who made way for current boss Amorim whose forthright and straight-talking approach has been welcomed by the defender. 'I like him a lot in that respect,' said Mazraoui.
'He's really honest, really straightforward, he's not hiding from anything. That's how I am as well. I'm not hiding behind anything and that's the manager as well.
‌
'He takes responsibility, he knows he's the head of the club eventually, because he's the manager. That's something I like a lot about him.'
Tottenham have beaten United on all three occasions they have met this season, but Mazraoui claimed that will have no bearing on the outcome of Wednesday's make-or-break showdown.
‌
'I don't think so, because this is a whole different competition,' said Mazraoui. 'It's the Europa League, it's a final, so the context around it is so different that you can't really compare any previous games with this final.
'Tottenham bring a lot of intensity in their games. We've seen that already this season. That's their biggest quality - they bring so much intensity and pressing in everything they do.'

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Daily Mail​

39 minutes ago

• Daily Mail​

Irish village team play incredible line-up of football legends, with Champions League-winning hard man at the back, Everton hero up front and England star in goal

An Irish village football team picked a surprising opposition to play as they went up against a side featuring an incredible line-up of football legends. Ayrfield United FC, a local outfit based in north Dublin, pitted their wits against some of the very best as they faced a Premier League legends side including a Champions League winner, a former England goalkeeper and an Everton cult hero. The likes of Jaap Stam, David James, Jermaine Beckford and Yakubu were all part of the squad to face Ayrfield at their Blunden Drive ground on Saturday afternoon. Yakubu and Beckford rolled back the years as the former Toffees duo led the line and were seen together in a picture posted by one fan on social media. Taking to X, formerly Twitter, the user wrote that Yakubu 'scored a vintage Yak goal'. In reply, a second labelled him a 'legend' upon seeing that he made an appearance in the match. Yakubu was remembered fondly for his time in the Premier League, where he scored 95 goals in 252 appearances during spells for Portsmouth, Middlesbrough, Everton and Blackburn Rovers. The Nigerian's final season on Merseyside was shared with Beckford, who played for Everton after a lengthy stint at Leeds United. To give as many local players as possible the chance to put their skills to the test, Ayrfield rotated three different line-ups across 30-minute periods against the legends side - who may have been blowing by the end of the 90 minutes. Posting to Instagram after the match, former Manchester United centre-back Stam thanked Ayrfield for being invited to play in the event. The Dutchman wrote: 'Great game. Lots of quality on the pitch with great support from the fans! Very enjoyable to be out there!' In reply, Ayrfield United wrote: 'Jaap you've still got it ya legend. Brilliant to have you here today. Thank you very much for coming'. Further comments of appreciation from fans read: 'What a day! Congrats to all involved'.

Daily Mirror

an hour ago

• Daily Mirror

Marcus Rashford sends Ruben Amorim message in 1st interview since Man Utd return

Marcus Rashford's future remains uncertain but he's poised to return to Manchester United for pre-season and has underlined his ability to play as a No 9 amid the club's search for a striker Marcus Rashford has admitted that being a central striker is "becoming more natural" as his career evolves - with Manchester United desperately looking for a new No.9. The 27-year-old is returning to Old Trafford after his loan stint away at Aston Villa. Rashford has endured a difficult time in Manchester and, after falling down the pecking order under Ruben Amorim, opted to move away temporarily. ‌ Villa had a £40million option to sign him permanently but that hasn't been exercised and Rashford faces an uncertain future. His dream move to Barcelona may now be off the cards - despite his thinly-veiled come-get-me-plea - and the forward appears to be selling himself as the central striker that United are looking for. ‌ Rashford has played predominantly from out wide during his career, but believes becoming a central option has been part of his career evolution. Those in Manchester have missed out on Liam Delap, one of their summer targets, whilst Viktor Gyokeres may favour other destinations. It could yet leave an opening for Rashford to stake his claim as the man to lead United's line - something he believes he's now capable of. He said: "For me as I've got older, the No.9 position is becoming more comfortable, more natural." In Rashford's most prolific season he scored 30 times. That was back in 2022/23 under Erik ten Hag. He's failed to hit those heights since but looked back to his best for periods during his loan spell at Villa, where he was able to dislodge Ollie Watkins as a stater. The main task for the academy graduate will be winning over Amorim. The Portuguese coach, who has signed Matheus Cunha and now wants Bryan Mbeumo, quickly shunned Rashford when he arrived and left him out of numerous squads. He later cited a difference of opinion as their main issue. He said: "I couldn't get Marcus to see the way you're supposed to play football and to train the way I see it. Sometimes you have one player that is really good with one coach, and the same player with another coach is different. I wish the best to Rashford and to [Villa manager] Unai Emery, and they can connect because he's a very good player." Before Rashford went on to rediscover his best form at Villa Park under Unai Emery Amorim admitted: "Sometimes you have one player that is really good with one coach, and the same player with another coach is different." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

Leader Live

an hour ago

• Leader Live

John Stones reflects on ‘dark days' during recent injury setbacks

The Manchester City and England centre-back made only six Premier League starts in the 2024-25 season after thigh, foot and other undisclosed issues. That came after he also missed two months at the start of the previous campaign with a hip injury. These setbacks have prevented the 31-year-old building on what was an outstanding season in 2022-23 when, playing a hybrid defence-midfield role, he helped City win the treble. Stones said: 'Yes, there have been points where you think: you've been giving all this effort, you dedicate all your life, especially how I approach or go about my life and football, I give everything on and off the pitch to be here or be ready to play games and… those are the dark days. 'I think everyone's been through them and thinks, 'Why is this happening?' You wish it would go a different path. It's self-doubt, a lot of things. 'It is frustrating for me. I put a lot of pressure on myself. I find it very challenging mentally. 'I have had some very low points in the past season. I just have to (try to) come back but, once you come over those things, you can't really see the end of the tunnel when they keep happening. 'All of us have been through different upbringings and challenges through life and what did we do within those situations – was it fight or was it give up? 'I was a fighter from a young age. In difficult moments, you have to look at the bigger picture and realise what your morals are, what you believe in, and fight to make it worthwhile.' Stones has now battled his way back to fitness and is hoping to play a big part in City's challenge at the Club World Cup in the United States. He has not featured since February when he was forced off after just eight minutes against Real Madrid. He was an unused substitute in their opening game of the tournament against Wydad Casablanca on Wednesday. Speaking to media ahead of their second game against Al Ain of Abu Dhabi in Atlanta, Stones said he was 'raring' to go. He said: 'I feel great, I'm back fit and ready to help the team when called upon. I'm excited to get going. 'Mentally it's been difficult dealing with the injuries and the process, but now I've put that behind me. 'I've been back in training a few weeks now and that's been going great. I'm super excited.' Manager Pep Guardiola is pleased to have Stones back in contention but will ease him back into action. Guardiola said: 'Him playing football, I want that. We have been together for almost one decade and he's an incredible human being. 'But the important thing now is at training sessions, he feels better. Games are another issue, another rhythm.'