Jose Mourinho on the touchline, Fred and Sofyan Amrabat in midfield, there is a parallel universe somewhere where the trio are still employees of Manchester United.
As it is, the three men are under contract at Fenerbahce these days.
And while the first Fener versus Galatasaray clash of the Jose Mourinho era ended pretty badly for last season’s Super Lig runners’ up – Fenerbahce accumulated 99 points in 2023/24 and still finished second – the performance of Sofyan Amrabat off the bench suggests that happier times may be on the way.
Manchester United opted against signing ex-Fiorentina man Amrabat permanently this summer following a mixed loan spell at Old Trafford.
Fenerbahce then secured the Morocco international’s services on a loan-to-buy deal worth around £12.5 million. Less, considerably less, than Fiorentina wanted from the Red Devils.
With Ineos determined to put an end that so-called ‘Manchester United tax’ – CEO Omar Berrada refused to pay £75m for Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite, for instance – the sight of Fiorentina letting Amrabat go to Istanbul for far less provides further justification for that decision to walk away from a potential £21 million deal.
As far as Mourinho is concerned, meanwhile, Amrabat’s arrival at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium is a bit of a coup.
- READ MORE: Manchester United confirmed signings, transfers in, out, loan exits, releases for 2024/25
Sofyan Amrabat impresses former Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho
Amrabat offered a reminder of his ball-winning talents too as he stepped off the bench to stop the Galatasaray tide on Saturday afternoon.
The reigning champions were 2-0 up already when the former FC Twente man was introduced at the interval.
And while Galatasaray would grab a third via ex-Norwich City playmaker Gabriel Sara, the performance of Amrabat at least gave a disappointed Mourinho something to feel positive about.
“Amrabat was very good in the second half,” Mourinho, who won an EFL Cup, a Community Shield and the Europa League in the Man United dugout, said during his post-match press conference.
“He played wonderfully. He provided the fluidity that was missing in the first half.”
Amrabat’s most renowned attribute may be his tackling. But, as he showed during that fantastic FA Cup final performance against Manchester City at Wembley, he can also be relied upon to distribute the ball effectively and sensibly under pressure.
Amrabat boasted the joint-best pass completion rate – 90 per cent – of any Fenerbahce player against Galatasaray.
Toby Collyer could fulfil Amrabat role under Erik ten Hag
Amrabat was not the only former Manchester United midfielder to create a good impression on one of his first outings in a new shirt this weekend.
Napoli’s Scott McTominay earned comparisons to Frank Lampard during a 0-0 draw with Juventus. Driving forward with trademark power and athleticism.
But while the Red Devils boss might have preferred to keep both players – Erik ten Hag admitted McTominay had to leave Man United for financial reasons – their departures were also necessary for the Premier League giants to restructure their team and bring in Manuel Ugarte to be the dynamic number six they were crying out for.
Toby Collyer is catching the eye at United these days too. That may be another reason why they walked away from Amrabat.
Excellent against Barnsley in the Carabao Cup last week – Man United hammered Barnsley 7-0 at Old Trafford – Collyer impressed in that left-back-turned-central-midfield role.
A role Amrabat also fulfilled on a number of occasions in a United shirt, and may now be expected to in his new Turkish home.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
