29 November 2023 , 13:26
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Manchester United's recruitment team are planning to sign a new holding midfielder in January to replace Sofyan Amrabat.
The Morocco international, 27, was signed on a season-loan from Fiorentina on deadline day. United paid £8.5million up front for the midfielder and can sign him on a permanent deal for £21.5m at the end of the season, taking the total deal up to £30m.
Yet United are unlikely to activate that clause. Amrabat is struggling to nail down a spot in the starting XI and has played just 18 minutes of Premier League football in November. Teenager Kobbie Mainoo was selected ahead of him against Everton last Sunday.
Amrabat's failure to impress at Old Trafford is slightly embarrassing for Erik ten Hag, who signed the player after working with him at Dutch side Utrecht. Ten Hag has faced criticism for his business in the transfer market since his appointment in May 2022.
According to The Guardian, United's recruitment team are unsure that Amrabat is good enough to play for the club. It's claimed they could make a decision on his future as early as January by bringing in another midfielder, but his loan won't be terminated.
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Amrabat became a household name during last year's World Cup in Qatar, as he helped Morocco become the first African nation in history to reach the semi-finals of the competition. It's believed Liverpool were interested in signing him from Fiorentina.
United managed to secure Amrabat's services thanks to his working relationship with Ten Hag. "I know exactly how Erik ten Hag likes to work and what he needs from his players," said Amrabat on joining the club. "His coaching and guidance developed me."
Sofyan Amrabat has struggled to nail down a spot in Ten Hag's starting XI (Getty Images)What's your thoughts on Erik ten Hag's transfer business? Let us know in the comments below!
Yet the move hasn't worked out as hoped, and Amrabat will need to turn things around quickly if he's to secure a permanent move to Old Trafford. It's believed United are also interested in signing a central midfielder, a centre-back and a striker.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is on the verge of buying a 25 per cent stake in United and will take charge of their transfer business once his takeover is completed. But even if that's done before January, United may not be able to spend big because of Financial Fair Play (FFP).
As such, United may need to sell players before bringing anyone else in. Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay have impressed in recent weeks but still might be allowed to leave the club if the price is right. Raphael Varane is another player who could be moved on.
There are also huge question marks over the futures of Casemiro and Anthony Martial, as Ratcliffe looks to complete an overhaul of United's transfer strategy. One club who could swoop for Varane is Tottenham, who are enduring an injury crisis.
Defenders Micky van de Ven (hamstring) and Ashley Phillips (ankle) both missed Tottenham's 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa last Sunday due to injury, while Cristian Romero was suspended. Emerson Royal and Ben Davies, two full-backs by trade, played at centre-back.