Ahead of the match, United defender Mazraoui attended a press conference

Manchester United will host Twente in the first round of the UEFA Europa League group stage. Ahead of the match, United defender Mazraoui attended a press conference.



Connection with the Team
You have to understand that when you come here as a new player, your expectation is that things will only get better. When I first arrived, I only participated in two training sessions, and 80% of the players were ones I had never played with before. My expectation was that once this connection and subconscious reaction became ingrained and more natural, everything would improve.

Number of Matches
There are league matches, cup competitions, international games, European events, and global tournaments. If you manage your condition well and prepare properly, a season can involve up to 70 matches, though not everyone can achieve that. At most clubs, it’s likely that only one or two players will go an entire season without injuries.

If we could truly answer this question, I think many players could play 70 matches, but in reality, as I just mentioned, at a big club that competes in many tournaments, players can't play that many matches. You might see one or two players able to play 70 matches and stay healthy throughout the season. So, I really don’t think there’s an answer to this right now; perhaps there will be in the future, along with preparation methods for it. Injury rates are increasing every season, and every year you see more injuries, so I think eventually, you’ll notice that it’s just too much.

Great to See Familiar Faces
I still keep in close contact with those two (Twente's Taylor and De Ligt, who has reunited at Manchester United), and I used to do the same with Dewitte from Bochum. So, it will be fun to see them again and catch up, and I’m looking forward to it. When we were still in the youth teams, I felt that Karel (Taylor) was regarded as the more talented player, more so than me. But ultimately, as you said, everyone in football has their own path. For instance, I know Karel faced injuries early in his career, which caused him a lot of trouble. His recovery took a long time, so I think that’s one reason we ended up on different paths. That’s the beauty of football; your outcome depends on many different factors.

Memories of Twente
Twente has always been a tough away game. I haven’t been there many times myself, but our coach is from that area, and I get along well with him, so in that sense, we have a good rapport with the people from Twente.

Joining Manchester United as a New Challenge
If you compare the two clubs (the other being Bayern), you can’t really say one is bigger than the other. Maybe in terms of international influence, Manchester United is larger than Bayern, and that is definitely one reason. Another reason is that after spending two seasons at Bayern last summer, I felt I needed and wanted to take a new step for many reasons. I felt okay there, but I had a sense that I would feel better and more comfortable elsewhere. That’s why I ultimately chose to switch clubs, and then Manchester United came up at this time. I really don’t think I need to explain why I made that decision.

Ten Hag's Attraction
That was certainly an important factor. Whenever you decide to join another club, you have to consider whether the coach and his philosophy align with the way you play. I have learned about him, and I know his approach to the game fits my style of play very well. This was indeed a significant factor, and having worked with him before made everything easier. I know his expectations of me, and he understands my situation. Recognizing these aspects makes everything simpler, but as I said, that’s not the only reason I joined this great club.

Relationship with De Ligt
Of course, I think that's an important point too, not just him but also knowing others here makes it easier for me to adapt. Joining a new club with new players and staff is tough, but when you feel comfortable, that's when you perform better. Because I know some players here, and I came with Matthijs, it makes life easier.

Fans Are a Huge Positive Factor
Of course, you hear some voices, but the love from the fans is a very good feeling. I appreciate them, and they appreciate me. If I can have a good start like this, I hope to give them even more.

Relationship with Assistant Coaches Hark and Van Nistelrooy
It’s hard to say, as I’ve only been here for a month. I know their names, but I’ve never worked with them before. We have had a lot of communication, and they have been a great help to the team. They are also an important factor in helping me adapt because they speak Dutch, so they understand the culture here and my situation as a player, which helps me adjust better. We’ve discussed a lot about the game, positioning, defense, etc., to enhance both individual and team performance.