Manchester United defender Noussair Mazraoui undergoes minor heart procedure

Manchester United defender Noussair Mazraoui will step away for a few weeks after undergoing a minor heart procedure.

The 26-year-old underwent the procedure after experiencing palpitations.

Last weekend, Mazraoui was taken off at half-time during United's goalless draw with Aston Villa.

A Manchester United spokesperson said: "This is a relatively common condition and Noussair is expected to make a full recovery and be available for selection within the next few weeks."

According to the British Heart Foundation, palpitations "feel like your heart is racing, pounding, fluttering or like you have missed heartbeats."

The charity says they are harmless in most cases, but treatment is required if tests reveal an underlying heart condition.

Mazraoui joined United from Bayern Munich in a deal worth an initial €15m (£12.8m) and has played 10 times this term.

He has previously suffered heart issues. A month after testing positive for COVID during the 2022 World Cup he was diagnosed with a mild inflammation of the pericardium, the membrane surrounding the heart.

Mazraoui joins a long list of United defenders who are currently absent.

Harry Maguire also came off at half-time during United's draw at Aston Villa with a muscular injury and is expected to be out for a few weeks.

The pair join long-term absentees Leny Yoro, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia.

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Several other footballers affected by heart conditions

Several other footballers have been affected by heart conditions, including Fabrice Muamba, who retired in 2012, and Marc-Vivien Foe, who died on the pitch in 2003.

In August, Uruguayan footballer Juan Izquierdo died aged 27 five days after going into cardiac arrest and collapsing during a match in Brazil.

In 2021, former Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero announced his retirement from football due to a heart condition.

And United's Christian Eriksen became the first top-flight player to be fitted with an implanted cardioverter defibrillator after suffering a cardiac arrest during a Euro 2020 match.