Manchester United have another player heading back to re-join the first team after Morocco were eliminated from the African Cup of Nations.
It has not been a great tournament for Manchester United’s duo at the African Cup of Nations.
Andre Onana played one game before being dropped by Cameroon, who were eliminated in the first knockout round against Nigeria.
Sofyan Amrabat’s tournament had been going fairly well, he was even named in the team of the group stage – but it will now be remembered for all the wrong reasons.
Sofyan Amrabat and Morocco crash out
With reigning champions Senegal eliminated this week, along with previous finalists Egypt, the tournament was opening up for Morocco.
The 2022 World Cup semi-finalists were strongly fancied to go and win the competition, but are now eliminated.
Morocco, ranked 13th in the world by FIFA, were defeated 2-0 by surprise package South Africa, ranked 66th.
South Africa took a lead in the 57th minute before Achraf Hakimi missed a penalty for Morocco with five minutes remaining.
Manchester United loanee Amrabat was then shown a red card for a second yellow in injury time – before South Africa went on to make it 2-0 a minute later.
It was a bit of a bizarre sequence of events, with the referee seeming to withdraw a second yellow, and then brandish a straight red.
Amrabat had a largely ineffectual game, creating one chance but failing to make a single tackle, and winning just two of six duels contested.
He now heads back to Manchester United, although whether he returns in time to make the squad to face West Ham at the weekend remains to be seen.
Manchester United fans react
There was plenty of reaction online to Sofyan Amrabat’s red card and imminent return to Manchester United, where he hopes to make an impact in the second half of the season.
One fan wrote: “Nothing new just Amrabat doing Man United things.”
Another joked: “Amrabat misses United so much he couldn’t wait to see red.”
One South African fan said: “I’m a Manchester United supporter and this is the first time Sofyan Amrabat has ever done anything for me.”
Another United fan wrote: “Our players at Afcon were absolute shocking. Onana now Amrabat. Surely a Manchester United thing? I’m quickly onto Ten hags case! Wow.”
“Onana and Amrabat true reds man. One joined up with his team late and the other got sent off just to be back at United,” joked another.
A further comment read: “Amrabat went with United’s bad luck to Afcon.”
The Moroccan won’t find it easy to get back into Manchester United’s team, with Casemiro now back from injury. He will have to bide his time, and make the most out of every opportunity he gets.
READ MORE: Join the conversation with the United in Focus Whatsapp group
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
