Manchester United defender Noussair Mazraoui is expected to be out for a few weeks after undergoing a minor heart procedure, club sources have said.

Mazraoui was substituted at half-time of United’s 0-0 draw with Aston Villa on Sunday after feeling unwell and subsequently pulled out of Morocco’s squad ahead of the international break after complaining of heart palpitations.

The 26-year-old, signed by United from Bayern Munich for around £15 million this summer, has since successfully undergone a corrective procedure to address the irregularity.

United described Mazraoui’s condition as “relatively common” and said they expected him to make a full recovery and be available for selection again within the next few weeks.

This is not the first time that Mazraoui has been affected by a heart condition.

The right-back missed three months for Bayern in 2023 after suffering heart-related complications because of Covid-19.

United aware of previous heart issue

He had tested positive for Covid during the World Cup in Qatar in late 2022 and experienced problems on holiday after the tournament. Bayern said the problem was because of a “mild inflammation in his pericardium” and after undergoing regular testing he returned to action in March 2023.

United were aware of the issues he had at Bayern but this is a different condition.

The loss of Mazraoui, who has made 10 appearances for United since arriving from Bayern, is another blow to embattled manager Erik ten Hag, for whom the absences are beginning to stack up, not least in defence.

Left-backs Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia and new centre-back signing Leny Yoro have yet to make an appearance this season due to injury and another central defender, Harry Maguire, has been ruled out for a few weeks with a muscle injury.

Malacia has not played for United since May last year following knee surgery. Shaw last played for United in February but Ten Hag hopes to have him back after the international break.

In addition to Mazraoui, England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, Argentina forward Alejandro Garnacho and Ivory Coast winger Amad Diallo all withdrew from international duty as injury precautions.

Ten Hag was plagued by injury problems last season and will hope United are not heading for a repeat at a time when his future is under severe scrutiny and his side desperately need to return to winning ways after their worst-ever start to a Premier League season.

United, currently 14th in the table after taking just eight points from their opening seven games, are due to face Brentford on Saturday week at Old Trafford in their first game after the international break.