Man United defender diagnosed with heart condition

Noussair Mazraoui, Manchester United’s summer signing, is expected to be sidelined for the next two months after being diagnosed with cardiac arrhythmia, according to reports.

This development comes as the club faces its worst start to a Premier League season, having earned just eight points from their first seven matches.

Italian journalist Nicolo Schira has reported that Mazraoui, who joined for £17 million, is dealing with this condition, which disrupts the regularity of heartbeats.

Cardiac arrhythmia can result in the heart beating too quickly, too slowly, or irregularly. However, many individuals can manage the condition effectively and continue to live normal lives with proper care, as noted by the NHS.

The Daily Mail has indicated that Mazraoui’s absence is a significant setback for manager Erik ten Hag, as the 26-year-old had been a reliable contributor, playing in all of United’s Premier League games this season.

His adaptation to life at Old Trafford has been positive, highlighted by key performances, including an assist during the team’s 2-1 defeat to Brighton in August.

This isn’t Mazraoui’s first encounter with health issues related to his heart. In January 2023, while with Bayern Munich, he was diagnosed with heart tissue inflammation after contracting COVID-19.

That condition caused him to miss Morocco’s World Cup quarter-final win against Portugal, and follow-up tests revealed inflammation in his pericardium, the protective sac surrounding the heart.

Several high-profile footballers have faced heart-related health challenges in recent years. Notably, Mazraoui’s teammate, Christian Eriksen, experienced a cardiac arrest during Denmark’s Euro 2020 match against Finland but has since returned to professional football with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD).