Erik ten Hag responds as Man Utd 'reach agreement' to sign Sofyan Amrabat
Erik ten Hag has remained coy on the possibility of Manchester United sealing a deal for Sofyan Amrabat before Friday night's deadline.
United have already landed goalkeeper Altay Bayindir on the final day of the summer window, with the Dutchman also confirming a deal for Sergio Reguilon has been completed. However, he refused to officially confirm Amrabat's arrival, despite various reports suggesting a deal has been agreed with Fiorentina.
Asked about Amrabat, Ten Hag joked with reporters: "You know that? There are so many rumours, but it's nice, heh? We have done good business, we constructed a strong squad and we are ready to go with the fight. I can't tell because I don't know if he can sign. When we have news, we will report it immediately.
On more business, he added: "(Incomings?) Potentially, yes. Could be because we have to register them by now. We have the depth and the quality players in, they can play in a variety of systems and we are happy with it. We are ready to go for the fight."
Ten Hag has been eyeing a reunion with the former FC Utrecht star for much of the window, but has been made to wait until the very final throes of the window. On Thursday, Viola president Rocco Commisso confirmed the Moroccan, who shone at last year's World Cup, would be allowed to leave if an acceptable offer was lodged.
Marcel Sabitzer completes Man Utd transfer after last-minute deadline day dashHe explained: "We told Amrabat that if he has an opportunity to leave, then we’ll let him go. If this deal cannot be done, then he has two years left on his contract and will remain. There are many negotiations in progress. I don’t want to name names. So wait 24 hours and then you’ll know what happens.”
Reports suggest that United have struck a deal to sign the 27-year-old on a season-long loan deal, with the option to make the move a permanent one next summer. But while Ten Hag was reluctant to confirm Amrabat's arrival he was happy to do so with Reguilon. Despite United not officially announcing the Tottenham defender's loan deal prior to his pre-match media conference, the United boss spilled the beans.
"He (Reguilon) is here, he trained. He's a very experienced player, played for big clubs, already played a lot of La Liga and Premier League games.
"He has a very good background, he can play very intense football, so we are happy. We had a problem with Luke Shaw injured and Tyrell Malacia injured, they are long-term out, so we responded well in that emergency situation. He will be in the squad as well, yeah, so happy. Now we have to keep the group, again it's fully there."
Reguilon will be joined in this weekend's squad by Bayindir from Fenerbahce and fellow summer recruit Rasmus Hojlund. The Danish forward has yet to feature since his £72m move from Atalanta, but is now fit and available to face the Gunners on Sunday.
“I think he's ready to start. For every player there is a big spotlight. At Manchester United you have to perform, in every position, for every player.”