AC Milan manager Ruben Amorim, who previously managed Manchester United, is reportedly targeting former Manchester United player Noussair Mazraoui. Amorim, who took the helm at AC Milan last month after being dismissed from Manchester United, is keen on reuniting with players from his previous tenure.
Amorim’s Pursuit of Former Protege
The primary focus of Amorim’s transfer interest is Noussair Mazraoui, the Moroccan national team’s starting right-back. Mazraoui, born in 1997, delivered an impressive defensive performance during the recent World Cup in Qatar. He showcased tenacious defending and strong marking abilities, demonstrating high competitiveness against world-class forwards. Although Morocco’s World Cup journey ended with a 0-2 loss to France in the quarterfinals, Mazraoui’s performances proved his capability to compete on the global stage.
According to the English publication ‘Metro’, Amorim has been actively seeking to acquire Mazraoui since the player’s transfer from Bayern Munich to Manchester United for 17 million pounds in 2024. Mazraoui has made 77 appearances for Manchester United during his time there. Amorim is reportedly eager to bring the defender to AC Milan.
Mazraoui’s Contract Situation and Potential Move
Italian football transfer expert Matteo Moretto indicates that the 28-year-old Mazraoui is considered one of Amorim’s most favored players. Mazraoui’s current contract with Manchester United extends until June 2028. Whether he will follow his former mentor to Serie A remains uncertain. There are also projections suggesting that Mazraoui could be a viable option for AC Milan, especially as competition for the right-back spot, like Luke Shaw, is gradually diminishing in the starting lineup.
AC Milan’s Squad Rebuilding Under Amorim
Amorim, who succeeded Massimiliano Allegri as AC Milan’s manager, is spearheading a squad rebuilding effort. As part of this process, he has already been linked with several former players from his Manchester United days. These include Manuel Ugarte and Mason Mount, as well as Amad Diallo.
Ugarte, the Uruguayan international midfielder, suffered a knee injury during the recent World Cup, making a summer transfer unlikely. Meanwhile, Mount and Diallo are reportedly deemed ‘not for sale’ by Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag.
Recent Signings and Team Performance
AC Milan has already secured two signings this summer: attacking forward Gonçalo Ramos from Paris Saint-Germain and center-back Mário Rui from Roma. The club finished the 2025-2026 Serie A season in fifth place, a result that did not meet the expectations of the previous management. Consequently, the team will participate in the Europa League next season, rather than the Champions League.
The previous management held Massimiliano Allegri responsible for the team’s performance and subsequently dismissed him. Amorim believes that strengthening the squad is crucial for improving the team’s results.
Amorim Reflects on Manchester United Stint
In his first interview after taking the AC Milan job, Amorim stated, “I learned a lot from my mistakes at Manchester United.” He was dismissed from Manchester United in early January, having served as manager for 14 months. It appears that Amorim is now looking to bring in players he previously coached and trusts, potentially leveraging his past relationships to bolster the AC Milan squad.
The pursuit of Mazraoui signals Amorim’s strategy to integrate familiar faces into his new team, aiming to replicate the success he experienced during his earlier coaching career. The coming transfer window will be critical in determining how effectively Amorim can reshape the AC Milan squad according to his vision.
