Hat-trick of double-digit hauls makes tackle-machine Noussair Mazraoui popular among Dream Team gaffers

IT’S time for Dream Team managers to snap out of international mode and refocus.

Gameweek 12 is fast approaching and one player deservedly in the spotlight is Noussair Mazraoui (£3.8m).

The Manchester United defender is currently the second-most popular recruit ahead of the Gameweek 12 deadline after a fine run of form.

Mazraoui banked ten points against Leicester before the break to register a hat-trick of double-digit hauls.

The Morocco international also notched ten points against Chelsea and PAOK in Gameweek 10.

A spree of 30 points from his last three outings makes him Dream Team’s most in-form defender right now.

Clean sheets remain the primary currency for defenders and Mazraoui’s tally of five is only bettered by seven of his rivals but the secret to his success is his unmatched tackle total.

MOST TACKLES AMONG DREAM TEAM DEFENDERS THIS SEASON

• 55 – Noussair Mazraoui
• 52 – Daniel Munoz
• 38 – Trent Alexander-Arnold
• 37 – Destiny Udogie
• 35 – Tyrick Mitchell
• 33 – Antonee Robinson
• 33 – Diogo Dalot
• 32 – Cristian Romero

Mazraoui has earned 23 points through tackles already this campaign but there’s more to his game still.

The 27-year-old also ranks third among defenders for bonus points with 13 to his name – Pedro Porro (£4.3m) and Kyle Walker-Peters (£3.1m) are first and second with 16 and 15 bonus points respectively.

Mazraoui ranks highly in his position for successful dribbles and interceptions.

This combination of clean sheets, tackles and bonus points has resulted in an impressive overall total of 91 points.

Heavy hitters Trent Alexander-Arnold (£6m), Virgil van Dijk (£5.5m) and Josko Gvardiol (£4.8m) are the only three defenders above him in the rankings.

Mazraoui’s form is undoubtedly the decisive force behind his popularity surge but Dream Team bosses will also be encouraged by his schedule.

The Red Devils are set to take on Ipswich and Bodo / Glimt in Gameweek 11 for what will be Ruben Amorim’s first two games in charge.

The Tractor Boys upset Tottenham before the international break but, in the grand scheme of things, the Portuguese tactician couldn’t have hoped for a more favourable start.

Many gaffers will be hopeful of plentiful points from the likes of Bruno Fernandes (£6.1m) and Alejandro Garnacho (£4.1m) this coming Gameweek, as well as Mazraoui.