Manchester United are moving ahead to try and secure a move for Sofyan Amrabat, as negotiations with Fiorentina get underway.
The Athletic report negotiations are underway with Fiorentina over a loan move. The switch will strengthen United’s midfield, an area where the team is looking too light at present.
Signing Amrabat on a cheap loan deal might be considered a victory in the Manchester United boardroom, evading paying a fee this summer.
But waiting a month to land the Moroccan has not been ideal. Why wait until the last minute?
READ: Confirmed Manchester United transfers in, out, loans, releases, youth for 2023/24
The team has been hurt
Manchester United’s lack of urgency over this deal has already had a negative impact on Sofyan Amrabat and on the team.
Amrabat has not played any football, pre-season or otherwise, in more than a month. It could take him a little time to get up to speed. There is a mental stress Amrabat will have been going through too.
By acting earlier, United could have signed Amrabat in time for pre-season, to get him in and working with Erik ten Hag, and his new teammates.
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The biggest impact has been on the pitch. United’s midfield has looked unbalanced, and chaotic. Casemiro needs more help, and Amrabat can provide it.
Considering the team’s performance levels, United are not too badly situated, with six points from three games.
But the loss away at Tottenham was a winnable game. Amrabat could have made the difference.
Instead United’s away woes continued, and he is unlikely to be involved away at Arsenal this weekend due to his lack of action. That could be another defeat.
Rather than coming into the season well-drilled and with a complete squad, United have arrived under-prepared and undercooked.
Yes, a cheaper deal may end up being secured. But will it really be worth it?
Exposes the lack of direction
Manchester United’s disorganised and dysfunctional approach further exposes the lack of leadership at Old Trafford.
Years of mismanagement has left the club restricted by Financial Fair Play, unable to shift unwanted players on high salaries. And the club are paying for it.
This summer the decision to make the luxury signing of Mason Mount, first, has been an oddity.
It has left resources stretched, and a necessity like Amrabat has been an afterthought.
United may have a football director, John Murtough, but where is the strategy?
Once again this has been a transfer window which raises as many questions as it asks, no matter how good Amrabat turns out to be.
And at this point, there is no guarantee United get it done either. This late gamble may totally backfire.