According to the Manchester Evening News, Manchester United defender Noussair Mazraoui has returned to Manchester for evaluation after suffering an injury while on international duty with Morocco, potentially worsening the club's left-back shortage.

Mazraoui was substituted due to injury approximately 30 minutes into Denmark's match against Wales last weekend. Mazraoui had previously suffered a hamstring injury in January that sidelined him for three months. Another prolonged absence would be problematic for Carrick, who is aware that Luke Shaw cannot play twice a week.

Luke Shaw returned for the match against Fulham after missing three games before the international break. With a congested fixture list resuming after the international break, Manchester United will need to rotate. Mazraoui had previously deputized for Luke Shaw during his absence. If Mazraoui is also ruled out for an extended period, Carrick will only be able to rely on Dalot, Wan-Bissaka, or Harry Amass as replacements.

Wan-Bissaka may also be unavailable as a backup option. He went down in the 69th minute of Morocco's match against Lesotho on Tuesday, signaling for medical attention, and was subsequently substituted. However, this substitution may have simply been a precautionary measure.

If Mazraoui misses several consecutive matches, it will intensify criticism of Manchester United's failure to sign another left-back this summer. Manchester United had hoped to bring in a left-back after strengthening midfield, but ultimately failed to complete a deal, despite the club knowing that Luke Shaw could not be the sole option across a season exceeding 60 matches.

After the Hall transfer fell through, Manchester United should have signed a more affordable left-back. This player may not have been guaranteed a starting spot, but at least would have provided rotation cover. With Luke Shaw suffering an injury just three weeks into the season, and Mazraoui now potentially facing his second hamstring injury in nine months, it is unsurprising that the team is experiencing problems at left-back.

Manchester United made no further signings because the club believed there were no suitable candidates on the market. Real Valladolid left-back Jorge Salinas had a release clause of £15 million, but Manchester United clearly was not convinced. The club's data department and scouting network should have provided other viable options; there should have been left-backs available on the market for a reasonable transfer fee.

Decision-makers at Manchester United gambled on Luke Shaw and Mazraoui staying fit, but Luke Shaw's injury history is well documented, and Mazraoui now could be sidelined for an extended period with his second hamstring injury.

Wilcox and other members of the recruitment team should face scrutiny for this. Carrick has certainly made some mistakes this season, but he undoubtedly did not receive sufficient backing from the club during the summer transfer window.

Traducido por IA.

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