Manchester United undroppable could be asked to play in another new position vs Arsenal

Noussair Mazraoui was Manchester United's cheapest signing of a big-spending summer transfer window, arriving from Bayern Munich in August for an initial fee of just £12.8million.

But as the countdown to Christmas starts to ramp up, you would be hard-pressed to find any United supporter who would not name him as the club's best signing.

Reunited with former United manager Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford, a lot of United supporters had reservations about the club's decision to sign another player who had previously worked with the former boss in the Eredivisie, and one who had not been a regular starter for Bayern towards the end of last season.

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However, such fears have been dramatically quashed over the last couple of months, with the 27-year-old establishing himself as a firm fans' favourite and one of the very first names on the teamsheet. He has made 20 appearances since joining the club, 17 of which have been as a starter.

Three of those starts have been awarded to him by new United head coach Ruben Amorim, meaning he is one of just four players to have started each of the first three games of the Portuguese chief's tenure.

After operating as a right-back, a left-back and as an attacking-midfielder under Ten Hag, Mazraoui was tasked with starting Amorim's opening game in charge as the right-sided centre-back, with the former Sporting Lisbon boss wasting no time in implementing his preferred 3-4-3 system against Ipswich Town at Portman Road.

United made the trip to Suffolk without Leny Yoro, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof, meaning Amorim had no choice but to ask the Moroccan international to step inside and play as a centre-back. He passed that particular challenge with flying colours, starting in the same role against both Bodo/Glimt and Everton.

However, he could find himself operating in his fifth different position of his United career when the Reds face Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday evening. After losing Martinez to suspension on Sunday, Luke Shaw was in the frame to start as the left-sided centre-back in the capital.

However, the defender, on Tuesday evening, confirmed he had encountered a fresh injury setback, and it is understood he is set to be out for a couple of weeks. It means any plans Amorim may have had of replacing Martinez with Shaw have been scrapped.

The good news for United, however, is that Yoro is set to be included in the matchday squad for the first time in the capital. He was included in the travelling squad on Tuesday afternoon, likewise fellow defender Maguire, who was a second half substitute against Everton at the weekend.

Amorim has hinted that Yoro is unlikely to earn his United debut from the start at the Emirates, meaning Maguire could start in the back-three. He has experience of playing in a back-three for England and has impressed in that particular system.

However, if United are to get the best version of Maguire in a three-man defence, he must be deployed as the right-sided centre-back, meaning Mazraoui could be in line for another positional switch. Already proving his credentials as a left-back this season, he will be capable of operating as the left-sided centre-back.

He is comfortable on the ball and his defensive awareness is impressive. Most importantly, he is versatile, highlighted by the fact he has already played at right-back, right-sided centre-back, left-back and attacking-midfield. His versatility was a big factor in United's decision to sign him in the summer.

"Noussair is a dynamic, attacking full-back who can play on both the right and left side of defence," said United sporting director Dan Ashworth. "His experience and versatility will make him an excellent addition to our squad.

"Having already won a number of trophies in his career, we know that Noussair's winning mentality will be a real asset to the group as we work together to deliver the success required of Manchester United."

The 27-year-old's versatility and willingness to operate in any role he is instructed to is what has helped him earn the status as a fans' favourite within just 20 appearances for the club. His commitment and desire is on show for everyone to see, and his versatility makes him a coach's dream.

If Amorim does instruct him to play as the left-sided centre-back at the Emirates, United supporters are unlikely to be worried.