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Ruben Amorim, the newly appointed AC Milan head coach, has set his sights on another of his former Manchester United players, expressing admiration for Noussair Mazraoui following the defender’s impressive performances for Morocco at the 2026 World Cup.

According to journalist Matteo Moretto, while Amorim’s admiration for the player is clear, it has not yet developed into any concrete steps. Currently, there are no negotiations taking place, and neither club has made direct contact.

“Noussair Mazraoui is one of Amorim’s favourites. As of now there are no negotiations underway, there’s no direct contact between the clubs. But what I can tell you is that certainly Mazraoui, who is 28 years old and also has a contract expiring in 2028 with an option, is a player highly regarded by Amorim. Let’s see if he is targeted by Milan later in the window. As of today, I’m talking about the manager’s approval of him – Amorim appreciates Mazraoui’s qualities,” said Moretto.

This marks the third Manchester United player Amorim has shown interest in since taking charge at AC Milan. The first was Manuel Ugarte, a reunion that made perfect sense given their shared past at both Sporting CP and Old Trafford. However, that move fell through after Ugarte suffered an injury during the World Cup. Amorim then turned his attention to Amad, but Michael Carrick quickly dismissed the possibility, and the player himself reportedly had no desire to return to Italy.

Now, Mazraoui has emerged as the latest name on Amorim’s radar. The Moroccan defender joined Manchester United from Bayern Munich in August 2024 and is under contract until June 2028, with an option for an additional year — a deal that provides INEOS with significant leverage in any potential negotiation.

From United’s squad perspective, Mazraoui’s importance is clear. His strong World Cup campaign for Morocco demonstrated his ability to play both as a right-back and a left-back, making him valuable cover for the still-injured Luke Shaw across four competitions this season.

Reports suggest that the only realistic path to Mazraoui’s departure would come if INEOS decide to strengthen at full-back, with ongoing links to Borussia Dortmund’s Julian Ryerson. Until such a decision is made, both Mazraoui and United have ample reasons to maintain the status quo.

Amorim’s appreciation for the player is well-documented. The key question now is whether AC Milan will test INEOS’s determination with a formal offer later in the transfer window.