Manchester United’s Pivotal Clash with Spurs Highlights Lingering Squad Questions
All of Manchester United’s hopes had been pinned on the Europa League final in Bilbao. The May showdown offered Ruben Amorim and his side a final chance to salvage something from their worst-ever Premier League season.
Facing a similarly unpredictable Tottenham Hotspur, the two teams delivered a sluggish and uninspiring final. It ended with United succumbing 1-0 to a scrappy Brennan Johnson goal, a defeat that became a pivotal point for Amorim and the INEOS hierarchy. The loss sparked widespread concern about the financial and sporting consequences of missing out on European football.
Those worries were eased somewhat after the club spent nearly £250 million to bring in four new players over the summer. However, United’s poor start to the 2025/26 campaign further jeopardized Amorim’s position, with speculation about his future intensifying during the recent international breaks.
Fortunately for the Portuguese manager, a recent run of three wins and a draw has stabilized the team. This sets up a much-anticipated clash with Thomas Frank’s revamped Spurs side this Saturday.
United’s Wing-Back Dilemma
As United prepare for the rematch almost six months on from that bitter defeat, questions remain about how to maximize the potential of this squad, particularly on the flanks.
The recent 2-2 draw at Nottingham Forest encapsulated both the promise and the pitfalls of Amorim’s tactical setup. Deploying Amad Diallo as a right wing-back proved a mixed experiment. He was outmuscled by Morgan Gibbs-White for Forest’s equalizer but later struck a stunning goal to rescue a point and nearly snatched a late winner.
While many argue that the 23-year-old is better suited to a more attacking role, pairing him with Bryan Mbeumo on that side has provided a productive balance. The strengths of using the left-footed winger there currently outweigh the drawbacks.
On the opposite flank, Amorim has sought greater defensive balance by fielding Diogo Dalot over January recruit Patrick Dorgu. Yet, despite some bright moments such as assisting Mbeumo against Sunderland, Dalot has struggled in the unfamiliar left-sided position. He has drawn criticism for defensive lapses, including his costly error against Forest’s Nicolo Savona.
Dalot’s limited attacking contribution does not help his case either. Across 219 appearances for United, the Portuguese full-back has managed just nine goals and 18 assists, according to Transfermarkt. This record is barely ahead of Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s tally of two goals and 13 assists in 190 matches.
Although Dorgu is an alternative, his impact has also been minimal, with only two assists in 30 outings since joining from Lecce. With youngster Diego Leon still not fully integrated, Amorim might need to explore other solutions on the left.
A Potential Solution for the Left Flank
A resurgent Luke Shaw could theoretically move from centre-back to left wing-back once Lisandro Martínez returns to full fitness. However, such a reshuffle may risk destabilizing the backline prematurely.
That opens the door for Noussair Mazraoui, who could finally regain a starting spot after an injury-disrupted season. The Moroccan appeared briefly in a defensive role last match but possesses the technical ability to thrive further upfield. He even featured as a playmaker under Erik ten Hag.
Although naturally a right-back, Mazraoui’s versatility and intelligence make him a key figure Amorim cannot afford to bench. His debut season in England, following a £13 million move from Bayern Munich in 2024, was highly impressive. Content creator Ronaldo Brown even dubbed him United’s “best player” last year.
Technically gifted, defensively sound, and consistently composed in possession, Mazraoui ranks among the elite in Europe. He places in the top 1% of full-backs for tackles per 90 and the top 6% for passing accuracy, according to FBref.
While his ideal position is on the right, Amorim might experiment by placing him on the left to avoid breaking up the productive Amad–Mbeumo combination.
Much like Scott McTominay, Mazraoui is a player whose talent makes him difficult to leave out, even if his best position is not immediately clear. Amorim now faces the challenge of finding a consistent role for United’s number three, because he is simply too good to be sitting on the bench.
