This summer, Sofyan Amrabat will stand at a crossroads. The Moroccan midfielder has had a disappointing spell at Manchester United, and the club has no intention of making his move permanent. This leaves Amrabat searching for a new club in an unexpected turn in his career.
High expectations had marked the journey of Amrabat to Manchester United. After putting in a commendable show for Morocco at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, he moved to United on a loan deal. However, the full-back started just two games in the Premier League season, much below the expectations he had raised.
Disappointment with Amrabat forms only a small part of the issue at Manchester United. The team’s recruitment tactics is questioned in recent years with many big-name signings not able to deliver when required. Amrabat, along with Antony, Mason Mount, and Rasmus Hojlund, has struggled to win over fans with his performances.
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Introduced to English football in a left-back position—a position he could be excused for underperforming in—Amrabat’s performance failed to pick up when he was shifted into midfield. Observations from one game with Bayern Munich showed his slowness, an important virtue for any player in the fast-paced English game.
The deal has also not proved to be financially rewarding for United. They paid an initial £8.5m for his loan, which looks expensive considering Amrabat’s meager contributions and the spending limits of the club. The £21m release clause is highly unlikely to be triggered.
According to reports, Amrabat’s agents are looking for a way out from parent club Fiorentina, once the loan deal with United is over. It is believed that 27-year-old Amrabat interests AC Milan, and they have taken the initial steps to bring him to the San Siro. A deal of between £12-15million is being considered.
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However, the future is not very certain for Amrabat. His reputation has taken a hit due to his not-so-good stint at United, and it needs to be seen if any Premier League clubs will be interested in him. Even Fiorentina will be frustrated due to his sell-ability having come down.
With his loan spell at Manchester United drawing to a close, the future of Sofyan Amrabat remains balanced in an uncertain manner. His future move will be important, not only for him but also for the clubs looking forward to including him in their squads. The question remains to be answered about where Amrabat will end up in the summer transfer window.
