Ten Hag set to trigger secret Amrabat transfer clause with Man Utd decision

21 December 2023 , 09:21

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Ten Hag set to trigger secret Amrabat transfer clause with Man Utd decision

Sofyan Amrabat's contract with Fiorentina will automatically extend for a further year if Manchester United decide against making his loan move permanent next summer.

The Morocco international, 27, moved to Old Trafford on a season-long loan deal in the final hours of the summer transfer window after months of speculation linking him with a switch to England. However, it seems his stay at the Theatre of Dreams could be short-lived.

Erik ten Hag has seemingly decided that the playmaker does not have a long-term future with United after failing to make a major impression during his 17 appearances so far this term - and that decision will have a significant impact on both Amrabat and his parent club.

Italian outlet Il Tirreno revealed back in September that after Manchester United refused to include an obligation to buy Amrabat during lengthy negotiations, Fiorentina covered themselves by including a clause which would see Amrabat's contract automatically extend should he return to Florence.

And given that Ten Hag has already made his mind up on Amrabat and a permanent switch is not on the cards, it means the midfield maestro's Fiorentina contract will run for one extra year from next summer.

Marcel Sabitzer completes Man Utd transfer after last-minute deadline day dash

The news will come as a blow to Amrabat, who admitted shortly after putting pen to paper at Old Trafford that joining United was a childhood dream.

Join the debate! Do you think Man Utd should sign Amrabat permanently? Let us know here.

Sofyan Amrabat is expected to return to Fiorentina next summer rather than join Manchester United permanently (Lewis Storey)

The emergence of Kobbie Mainoo appears to have had a big impact on United's thinking, with The Sun claiming that the 18-year-old midfield prodigy is seen as the future by figures within the club.

The academy graduate missed the start of the season through injury but has returned to the team in recent weeks. He was United's standout player in Sunday's 0-0 draw against arch-rivals Liverpool at Anfield and earned high praise from his manager after the match.

Ten Hag said of Mainoo: "When you are good enough, you are old enough and he proved that. When he gets used more often in those games, he will get even more joy from it. With his skill, with his speed of action, he can get such passes, three or four passes in and get switches in and then he's the player who can really hurt opponents."

Dan Marsh