This time last week, Sofyan Amrabat’s rather underwhelming Manchester United career looked destined to end with a whimper rather than a roar.
The Fiorentina loanee started brightly but faded fast. And, after returning from the African Cup of Nations recently, he now finds himself even further down Erik ten Hag’s pecking order than he was previously, Casemiro back to full fitness and Kobbie Mainoo scribbling his name in Sharpie on the Dutchman’s team sheet.
But, while it remains unlikely that Manchester United will opt to trigger the £21 million purchase clause in Sofyan Amrabat’s contract, a door that looked to have slammed shut in his face might just be opening, albeit only slightly.
News of Luke Shaw’s potentially season-ending injury could see Amrabat parachuted into Ten Hag’s XI again, though at left-back rather than in his favoured midfield role.
Amrabat, one of the Qatar World Cup’s breakout talents, produced probably his best United display on the left against Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup. And, given that he is a central midfielder by trade, he appears well-placed to perform the ‘inverted full-back’ duties Ten Hag tends to bestow.
Further changes behind the scenes at Old Trafford, following the completion of Ineos’ minority takeover, could also provide a timely boost to Amrabat’s hopes of a long-term stay in Manchester.
Julian Ward, the former Liverpool director, has featured ‘prominently’ in discussions driven by Sir Dave Brailsford, Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s long-time confidante. Brailsford is looking to bring in a recruitment specialist Talks are now underway to bring the former Anfield chief down the road, The Athletic report.
And it’s interesting to note that Ward appeared to be the driving force behind Liverpool’s pursuit of Amrabat, the men from Merseyside showing an interest both in January of last year as well as in the summer.
Julian Ward a ‘big fan’ of United midfielder
“Yes, there were talks with Liverpool,” Sky reporter Florian Plettenberg wrote on X. “Ward is a big fan of the 26-year-old.”
Should Ward arrive at Old Trafford – joining Omar Berrada, Jean-Claude Blanc and potentially Dan Asworth too in a revamped structure – that would see one of Amrabat’s biggest supporters take an influential role in the Ineos regime.
But if Amrabat is to avoid an early return to Italy – his short-term deal expires in June – it is his performances on the pitch rather than his admirers off it that will be of most importance.
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