During the summer, Sofyan Amrabat was seen as the man who could be transformative for Manchester United in the middle of the park.
The reason behind these rather big statements was that Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United struggled to keep the ball throughout last season, especially in the big games.
Sofyan Amrabat, according to FBREF, is the 10th-best midfielder for pass completion rates in Europe’s top five leagues. He was the perfect solution.
Casemiro, throughout the summer, was seen as the main man for United and a guaranteed starter for the Red Devils but a lot can change in two months.
The former Real Madrid midfielder was hauled off at half-time against Brentford, and Amrabat was tasked with being the main man as the defensive midfielder, and it worked.
Amrabat’s impact
The Moroccan has had to deputise at left-back for the Red Devils due to the lack of options and the injuries suffered in that position.
The former Fiorentina man looked rather uninspiring and lacked any real creativity in a position that Ten Hag puts so much emphasis on.
Amrabat finally moved to the deepest position on the pitch on Saturday and was much more assured and was the defensive midfield option United have been looking for.
Amrabat completed 97 per cent of his attempted passes, which includes 100 per cent of his attempted long balls and made three key passes.
He kept things simple, something that Casemiro has struggled to do.
Casemiro’s uphill struggle to save United career
This international break may well have come as a bad time for the Brazilian midfielder.
Kobbie Mainoo could be set for a return from his long spell out with injury, this could be more bad news for the 31-year-old.
it’s clear that Ten Hag, who has a knack for developing young midfielders, is a big fan of the teenager and this, alongside Amrabat’s impact, could see Casemiro jettisoned from the team.
The Brazilian needs to be dropped due to his poor performances and Amrabat showed Casemiro how to play that role by just keeping it simple.
The Moroccan kept the ball ticking and the team moving, recycling the ball where needed.
That may well sound simple but too often Casemiro would try the hopeful first-time pass, causing United to lose the ball in dangerous areas.
The deepest midfielder needs to keep things simple, Amrabat is currently doing that.
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