Sofyan Amrabat to Manchester United: Could Morocco international fix Erik ten

With exclusive insight from his former coach, find out more about Sofyan Amrabat’s past relationship with Erik ten Hag and why the Morocco international has the power and the passing ability to help solve the problems in Manchester United’s midfield…

Manchester United’s midfield problems have been one of the stories of the season so far. Overrun by Wolves. Outplayed by Tottenham. Mason Mount is now injured. Casemiro’s form is under the spotlight. An urgent solution is required.

That answer could come in the form of Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat. The Morocco international was a star of the World Cup, has a relationship with Erik ten Hag from their time together at Utrecht, and has been linked with United for much of the summer.

“They want to buy Sofyan Amrabat for a reason,” Gary Neville told Sky Sports. “He wants everybody in the team to be able to accept the football and receive it. Sofyan Amrabat coming in, he is a passer of the ball and can sit in there alongside Casemiro.”

The Brazilian certainly needs support. The calls to restore Scott McTominay to the starting line-up are an indication that Amrabat does not have to be a cross between Roy Keane and Bobby Charlton to make the difference. United are desperate for a presence there.

There was a time when it was not obvious that Amrabat, now 27, could be that player. Four years ago, he was part of a three-man defence at Club Brugge. The turning point came when he was loaned to Hellas Verona on the proviso that he would be played as a No 6.

The making of Amrabat

It was there that he rediscovered the potential that Ten Hag and others had seen in him as a teenager. Amrabat looked different then. The head was not shaved, the frame not as robust as the one that covered more ground than any player at the World Cup in Qatar.

“The Sofyan of 10 to 12 years ago was very different to now. Not only in age or experience but also in knowledge about football, knowledge about how to be a professional. He already believed he was a top player but he was 15 or 16. That is just the beginning.”

Those are the words of Robin Pronk, Amrabat’s former youth coach at FC Utrecht, now in charge of the Dutch club’s academy. He knows the family well having previously coached Amrabat’s elder brother Nordin at Ajax. He witnessed the start of his transformation.