Amrabat's telling reaction to debut question as he confirms ideal Man Utd role
Sofyan Amrabat allowed himself a chuckle after being asked to make his Manchester United debut out of position.
The Moroccan was signed on a loan deal from Fiorentina earlier this summer to add to the Red Devils’ midfield options. However, he started the 3-0 win over Crystal Palace in a slightly unconventional position at left-back.
It appeared to work though as Amrabat shone, with United cruising to a straight-forward victory and with it, a place in the fourth round of the competition. Asked about being played in defence in a post-match interview, the 27-year-old smirked before underlining his commitment to the side, whatever position he plays in.
He said: “I told the manager ‘I play where you need me’. If he needs me as goalkeeper I’ll play where I can help the team! Today it was left back, but I also played in midfield, it was good!”
He added: “I like to touch the ball, of course I’m not a traditional left back, so I try to give the team extra options. But I play where the coach needs. Of course, I’m a midfielder and I prefer to play in midfield, but I play wherever I’m needed.”
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Speaking after being handed his first outing at Old Trafford, he added: “Of course, I think since I was a child, I work for this. I work very hard my whole career, my whole life and yeah it’s amazing to play here.”
Amrabat’s response was certainly telling, given it was predicted that he would have been annoyed at being asked to play left-back. Former Tottenham boss Tim Sherwood suggested that it was a mistake deploying him in defence.
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Speaking ahead of Tuesday’s win against Crystal Palace, he said: “Amrabat would rather play in his correct position. He’s a signing they’ve been chasing all summer, so when he plays, he wants to be playing in his correct position, at No 6, not at full-back.”
Amrabat will be hoping that his performance against the Eagles made enough of an impression to see him granted his full Premier League debut. The Red Devils once again host Crystal Palace at Old Trafford this weekend.
Ahead of that rematch, Ten Hag has revealed that he harbours no doubts about asking Amrabat to play in a slightly foreign position. “Sofyan is a player, and that was one of the reasons we signed him, where the team needs him, he will play and he can play in more positions,” Ten Hag said on Tuesday evening.
“Every player has his best position but he gives a certain dynamic in the game. We have seen today but also for him and many players, we just started.”
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