Manchester United midfielder Sofyan Amrabat has been hailed by former Fiorentina teammate Kevin-Prince Boateng.
United understandably wanted to revamp Erik ten Hag’s midfield options over the summer.
Out went Fred as he headed off to Turkey, with Mason Mount coming in from Chelsea.
Ten Hag still wanted one more option though; a combative and mobile midfielder who could either partner Casemiro or come in for the Brazilian if needed.
Ten Hag chose a player he knew well, targeting Sofyan Amrabat having worked together at Utrecht in the Netherlands.
The rumours went on for months but United finally landed the Morocco World Cup star on deadline day, securing a loan-to-buy deal.
Kevin-Prince Boateng hails Sofyan Amrabat
Amrabat has now started two United games but neither of those appearances have been as a midfielder.
United’s left back situation means Amrabat has been forced into a rather unfamiliar role in two games against Crystal Palace.
United fans can’t wait to see Amrabat in a more traditional midfield role – especially after hearing Kevin-Prince Boating’s praise.
Boateng has been speaking on Rio Ferdinand’s FIVE show and spoke about Amrabat having crossed paths at Fiorentina in 2020.
The former AC Milan star noted that Amrabat is ‘really good’ and will give absolutely everything to the cause every single day.
Boateng doesn’t feel that Amrabat is somebody who will get angry but will show his leadership with non-stop running.
Boateng added that Amrabat has a quiet demeanour but will lift up his teammates because of his attitude and application.
“I played with him at Fiorentina – he’s really good,” said Boateng. “He’s a guy that’s going to give everything every day. He’s not that type of guy who is going to talk and maybe get angry, he’s more of a speaker on the pitch, he’s going to show you, he’s going to run back and forth, box-to-box.”
“He’s not a speaker, he’s a Muslim, he’s very with himself, but on the pitch, he will give you everything and this is why people will get lifted up,” he added.
Amrabat can make big impact for United
United’s injury crisis means Amrabat is having to do a job for the team.
Amrabat isn’t really accustomed to playing at left back but did play as a right back at times earlier in his career.
Hopefully the injury problems ease soon and we can finally see Amrabat in midfield having seen him absolutely dominate in that area during the World Cup last year.
We would expect to see Amrabat as a left back against Galatasaray tonight but really believe that he can make a major impact in midfield when the time comes.
Amrabat has the work rate and physical edge that United need in the middle of the park and he will be absolutely desperate to shine in order to win a permanent move in 2024.
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