Man Utd make Sofyan Amrabat call as Erik ten Hag heeds Jamie Carragher advice

20 December 2023 , 15:51

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Man Utd make Sofyan Amrabat call as Erik ten Hag heeds Jamie Carragher advice

Sofyan Amrabat is set to return to Italy next summer despite Manchester United having the option to make his loan deal permanent.

After a lengthy pursuit, Erik ten Hag finally got his man in the final week of the last transfer window, with the midfielder having been tracked by several clubs following his impressive 2022 World Cup campaign with Morocco. However, Ten Hag was only able to negotiate a season-long deal with Fiorentina, with United by that point restricted by FFP regulations.

However, Amrabat is yet to exert the influence that fans expected in England and Europe. After initially being used as an emergency left-back option, he's since moved into midfield but has appeared off the pace, and struggled to nail down a regular first-team spot.

And according to The Sun, Ten Hag is no longer planning on having the 27-year-old on board beyond this season. A club figure has been quoted as saying: "Amrabat is very unlikely to stay at Manchester United after the summer. They have an option to make the deal a permanent one, but as things stand the manager is not making plans to do that.

"There’s no doubt that Amrabat is a good player, but there are question marks against whether he is the right fit for the Premier League. The pace of the game is very different. As things stand, he won’t be staying at United."

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Indeed, despite Amarabat playing his part in a creditable draw for his side against Liverpool on Sunday, Sky pundit Jamie Carragher ranted that the result was achieved despite the midfielder. "I don’t know why they’re playing a man-to-man system," he said. "He can’t run."

Sofyan Amrabat is on a season-long loan at Manchester United (Getty Images)

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And the return to fitness of Kobbie Mainoo has cast further doubt on his future. After five months out with a foot injury, the 18-year-old returned in late November and has since impressed in midfield.

Indeed, Ten Hag reportedly sees the club academy product as a more viable 'future' option, deeming him one of the best youngsters he's worked with. The Dutchman's desire to keep Casemiro at the club, plus Scott McTominay's revival in form, are further obstacles to Amrabat.

And his hopes of turning things around at United will be hampered in January when he heads off to the AFCON tournament with Morocco. He could miss up to seven league and cup games depending on Morocco's progress, with Cameroon keeper Andre Onana in a similar position.

Fraser Watson