Manchester United have only a few days left to make a decision on Sofyan Amrabat before his loan from Fiorentina expires.
Sofyan Amrabat is due to return to Fiorentina after Sunday, June 30th after a mixed season on loan at Manchester United. The Moroccan made 30 appearances for Erik ten Hag’s side in all competitions during his season.
While it long looked like a failed loan and there’d be no chance of United triggering the option to buy him come June, he really came into his own at the very end of the season and was a hero in the FA Cup final win over Manchester City.
This game saw Amrabat lauded by Paul Scholes for his contributions and made many believe that he’d be returning for next season, and he still could as United have a few days to trigger the £21.4m option in the loan.
Speaking with HITC’s transfer expert Graeme Bailey, United in Focus has learned what the club are expected to do with Amrabat.
What Manchester United will do with Sofyan Amrabat
While the option remains for United, Graeme Bailey has now explained that Ineos isn’t expected to trigger it and bring Amrabat back next season.
He told us: “Amrabat? There’s been no suggestion to me that they’ll keep him. United aren’t going to pay the fee for him. I’d be surprised if they bring him back. I don’t see them paying for him.”
This hardly comes as a surprise with the buy option in the contract likely way more than Amrabat is worth after his hot and cold campaign on loan.
Along with this, United are actively pursuing other players in the exact same position, such as Manuel Ugarte and therefore retaining Amrabat would only eat into the budget – a budget which is stretched already due to the fact United need to strengthen in four positions.
Should Manchester United be keeping Amrabat?
Amrabat without a doubt won some fans toward the end of the season with his performances in defensive midfield as he closed up the problem of massive gaps between defence and midfield.
However, prior to the final few weeks, he was hugely disappointing in midfield and left much to be desired compared with the player we all thought we would be getting.
Thanks to Amrabat, Ten Hag finally knows what he needs in midfield and that’s why we are now seeing links to specialist defensive midfielders.
This will be a big bonus for United next season especially if it’s a player of similar quality to Ugarte.