28 September 2023 , 08:30
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Sofyan Amrabat insists he only wanted to play for Manchester United - despite interest from bitter rivals Liverpool.
Amrabat, 27, joined United from Fiorentina on deadline day, agreeing a season-long loan with the Red Devils. They could make the transfer permanent at the end of the campaign if the Morocco international enjoys a successful spell in the Premier League.
Amrabat was linked with Liverpool following his outstanding performances at last year's World Cup in Qatar, helping Morocco reach the semi-finals for the first time. It's believed Jurgen Klopp even met with the player's agent to discuss a transfer.
Yet the midfielder joined United instead to reunite with Erik ten Hag. Amrabat was part of Ten Hag's squad at Utrecht at the beginning of his career and insists the opportunity to play for the Dutchman again was too good to turn down.
There was huge speculation over Amrabat's future throughout the summer before United eventually agreed a deal with Fiorentina. The player was asked whether it was frustrating playing the waiting game. As quoted by BBC Sport, he said: "Yes, of course.
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"After the last game with the club, it was the Conference League final with West Ham (which the Hammers won 2-1). From that moment the window started for me, a lot of clubs, a lot of speaking, talking, but for me it was clear I wanted Manchester United.
"They were long, long months for me, very difficult months for me, but in the end it was nice on the last day that I signed here and that I’m here is now the most important."
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Amrabat is expected to add some steel to Ten Hag's midfield after a difficult start to the campaign. Although United have won back-to-back games against Burnley and Crystal Palace, they've already lost to Tottenham, Arsenal, Brighton and Bayern Munich.
Amrabat is willing to 'give his all' for Ten Hag and has described his joy at being a United player. He added: "It was fantastic, it was a dream of mine, since I was a child I worked for this every day, to be here is a dream, it’s fantastic.
"When I make a step on the pitch, for me it’s normal that you give everything, that you fight for every metre and give your all for the team. Of course you can make technical mistakes, everyone can have a bad game, but the most important is you fight for the badge, for the club, and that’s the minimum you can do. That’s normal and that’s what I try always.
"The manager knows me very well. A long time, maybe five, maybe seven years ago, we worked together [at Utrecht]. I know what he wants and I try to do that."