26 September 2023 , 22:03
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Erik ten Hag has explained how Sofyan Amrabat’s willingness to "play where his manager needs him" makes him such a valuable asset to Manchester United.
The comments are revealing of why the Dutch boss admires the Moroccan international, whom he previously worked with at Utrecht and who made his first United start – provisionally in an unfamiliar left-back role – in Tuesday’s EFL Cup win over Crystal Palace. Ten Hag’s thoughts were a subtle request to the remainder of his players, with the situation of outcast Jadon Sancho most notable.
Ten Hag has banned winger Sancho from using the club’s facilities while the player’s teammates have attempted to persuade him to apologise to the manager. The Red Devils boss is believed to be keen to avoid a disillusioned player spreading negativity and causing disharmony within his squad.
Speaking ahead of the match, Ten Hag explained: "We had to be able to make choices from a tactical perspective. Amrabat is a midfielder, but he's previously played as a full-back a while ago. At Fiorentina, he was really settled, for Morocco, he was the big man at the World Cup.
"He was one of the best players at the World Cup in the position as a holding midfielder, but he can play there [left-back] and he's a warrior, he'll fight for the badge. He's someone who will play where his manager needs him."
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Ten Hag doubled down on his position after full-time, telling reporters of his admiration of the midfielder and the qualities he brings: “He is a player who plays where the team needs him, and he contributes – with his quality and the energy that he brings.”
Amrabat said after the match: "It was a perfect night. Since I was a child I worked for this. It’s amazing to play here. I told the manager, I play where the team needs me. Of course I am not a left back. But I tried to give the team structure."
Have Your Say! Should Amrabat be in Man Utd’s strongest starting line-up? Tell us what you think here.
Amrabat started at left-back but often moved into a more familiar midfield role (Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)Meanwhile, Ten Hag was pushed for comment on Sancho following the game but refused to speak about the banished player: “I will not comment on players who are not available.”
Amrabat’s performance and attitude were lauded on Sky Sports after the match, with Steve Bruce saying of his display: “It obviously means something to him, and you could see that tonight. He has that physical presence and got that stature about him - when we saw him warming up we thought this fella has got something.
“He’s played in a role at left-back where we wondered if he would drift into the midfield area, and he gave Crystal Palace a lot of problems from the position that he picked up.”
Bruce’s fellow pundit Andros Townsend concurred, adding: “It worked perfectly. We spoke about Manchester United switching the play to the right-hand side and Amrabat coming inside onto his right-foot. Wherever he was playing, it worked perfectly.”