Manchester United’s fortunes changed late in the season after the worst result of the campaign against Crystal Palace.
The month of May 2024 began in the worst way possible for Manchester United, with a laboured 4-0 loss away at Crystal Palace. The Eagles were simply too good for a woeful United, without Bruno Fernandes, and reliant on Casemiro and Jonny Evans at centre-back.
Perhaps the oddest choice of all came with the selection of Christian Eriksen in midfield, who had been a dismal performer all season. Surely with a makeshift centre-back, you needed security in front of them?
The alternative was to bring in Sofyan Amrabat. And while manager Erik ten Hag did utilise him in the second half, it was in defence as United attempted to shore up and avoid conceding more goals.
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Sofyan Amrabat made Erik ten Hag plea
Perhaps worried at the prospect of being used in defence again, or perhaps simply seeing a solution he could fix, Sofyan Amrabat sought out his manager after the Palace loss.
According to Andy Mitten in The National, Sofyan Amrabat told Erik ten Hag he wanted to be used in his preferred midfield role, ‘pleading’ for an opportunity.
Ten Hag obliged against Arsenal, and Manchester United produced a vastly improved performance, losing only 1-0. The team likely would have won had Bruno Fernandes been fit.
Amrabat simply wanted an opportunity. His previous start for the club had come away at Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup fifth round, when he was selected at left-back.
His last start before that was in 2023, when Manchester United held Liverpool to a 0-0 draw at Anfield.
Amrabat felt he was owed an opportunity, spending most of his time on the bench, playing a combined 36 minutes in the months of March and April.
The Morocco international followed up his start against Arsenal by being selected again in subsequent wins over Newcastle and Brighton.
Sofyan Amrabat helped win FA Cup Final
Normally, it would have been assumed Sofyan Amrabat would continue in midfield for the FA Cup Final. However, the returns of Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane meant Casemiro was no longer required in central defence.
Most assumed Casemiro would take Amrabat’s place in midfield. But it was the Moroccan who started. Ten Hag insisted Casemiro was injured, with the Brazilian failing to make the bench.
One way or another, it turned out to be an inspired decision, with Amrabat absolutely terrific alongside Kobbie Mainoo, with it suggested he was the real man of the match.
Amrabat is open to staying at United if the club want him – there is a clause in his loan contract if United choose to pay it.
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