Sofyan Amrabat’s Manchester United loan period was petering out into nothingness by the start of May. The Moroccan international, 27, hadn’t started a Premier League game since Liverpool away in December 2023. His only full match was when he was asked to fill in at left-back in an FA Cup tie at Nottingham Forest. He didn’t shirk the request and United won 1-0.
Amrabat, who reached the semi-finals of the World Cup in 2022 with the Atlas Lions, was barely missed by United fans. In their eyes he’d not done enough to convince them otherwise when he was starting games shortly after his season-long loan from Fiorentina was confirmed. United would not have completed that had Kobbie Mainoo not been injured against Real Madrid in a pre-season game in July.
Let’s look at it from Amrabat’s perspective. Fiorentina knew he wanted to leave before this season started and prevented him from training with the rest of the squad. He thus spent the entire pre-season training alone and, because he wasn’t with the group, didn’t play a single game.
All the time, there was genuine interest in the midfielder and he received offers from eight clubs in England, Italy, Spain and Saudi Arabia. One club was a major rival and he spoke to their manager, but he held off since he was waiting for United to make an offer.
When the move went through and he came to Manchester, he was unable to play because of an injury picked up while training with the Moroccan national team. When Amrabat returned to fitness, he offered to play at left-back back because United had no fit left-backs. He just wanted to play for United. He was thus chosen to start against Crystal Palace in the League Cup, yet he’d not played a game for three months.
United won 3-0 with a good showing from Amrabat. For a long time it was United’s only impressive performance of the season. The National rated him 7/10 and wrote “First start for United for the on-loan Moroccan, he played out of his usual position as a left-back. Was cheered after a defensive block stopped an early Palace cross. Physically strong and regularly moved into midfield. Decent start.”
“It was the perfect night and I’ve worked my whole career, my life for this,” said the player in an emotional post-match interview where he marvelled at his new surroundings. “It’s Tuesday and the whole stadium is full!”
In January, Amrabat went to the Africa Cup of Nations. When he returned, he’d lost his place in the United side, but he trained and worked hard. He picked up the odd minutes coming off the bench – just 45 minutes in total in 11 league games. The only time he was given significant minutes in the Premier League was when he came on at Crystal Palace with his team 3-0 down. Palace went on to win 4-0.
This was now United’s lowest point of the season. The team had dropped to eighth and were about to play three sides with excellent recent records against Erik ten Hag’s side: Arsenal, who were chasing a league title; Newcastle United, who’d defeated United twice already, and Brighton, who usually beat United at home. Then there was the small matter of an FA Cup final against Manchester City.
Amrabat went to see his manager and pleaded to start a game in his favoured No 6 position. Ten Hag was under pressure to change his tactics and restrict the number of goalscoring opportunities opponents were getting. Against Arsenal, his side were more pragmatic, didn’t press high and tried to keep the two central midfielders (Amrabat and Mainoo) together without the ball in order for the team not to get too stretched. It was ironic that such a thing happened for Arsenal’s goal when Casemiro, as makeshift centre-half, was badly positioned. But while United lost 1-0, the team – and Amrabat in particular who had his then best game for the club – were much improved compared to the Palace debacle.
The former Utrecht, Feyenoord, Club Bruges, Hellas Verona and Fiorentina man kept his place for United’s final league game of the season, another win as United finished the league in eighth, on the same points as Newcastle United, who had a superior goal difference. Seventh looked sufficient for European football in 2024/25, eighth not.
With Manchester City clear favourites to lift the FA Cup and deny United European football and stories circulating that Ten Hag would lose his job, all eyes were on the final at Wembley. At least he had several of his players back from injury and wouldn’t need to play Casemiro as a defender. The Brazilian was expected to move into midfield, but there was some surprise that Amrabat was chosen ahead of him in a 4-2-2-2 formation. Surprise but no alarm after his good form in previous games.
Amrabat was one of United’s best players in what was certainly his biggest and best game for United. Beaten for pace by Phil Foden in one early move, he snapped away at challengers in City’s midfield, closed the spaces so City couldn’t exploit them and maintained disciplined positions as he protected his defence.
Amrabat’s football intelligence showed on a wonderful afternoon for him and his club. Twice a runner-up in finals with Fiorentina, he held his winners’ medal tightly in the exuberant post-match celebrations. Amrabat prays five times per day and his life is in a positive place, but what happens next?
United paid Fiorentina £8.5 million for the loan and there’s an option to buy him for a reported £20 million when the loan period ends at the end of this month. He would like to stay at United, especially having shown the fans the player he can be in the last month of the season. He likes living in Hale, South Manchester, too, and feels that the group of players is a good one without the edge he experienced at other clubs.
Yet Amrabat is one of several players and coaching staff, including the manager, who doesn’t know if he’ll be at Manchester United much longer.
Man United 2023/24 player ratings
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MANCHESTER UNITED 2023/24 SEASON RATINGS: Injuries undoubtedly hit United’s season and they only relented in the final weeks. There were highs - winning the FA Cup - and lows - elimination from the Champions League with one win from six was abysmal and United were so poor to watch for much of the season. If the Dutchman keeps his job – and most fans would like him too - he’s still got a tough one on his hands. PA -
A wretched start, a major reason why United went out of the Champions League with only one win from six, but how the Cameroonian turned it around. That was in spite of the players changing in front of him most weeks. 4/10 for the first half of the season, 8/10 for the second. PA -
Named club's player’s player of the season, the Portuguese was one of the few players who improved as the team underachieved. Inspired daily by Cristiano Ronaldo, the full-back reckons he’s fitter, more focused and doing everything he can to improve. While his defensive positioning can still raise eyebrows, Dalot is a danger going forward. Getty Images -
Managed just 1,180 minutes (Dalot on the opposite flank managed 4,364) because of muscle injuries. He was back in the team when United won 4/4 February league games, then injured for the next one v Fulham – which United lost at home. His absences, and those of his deputy Tyrell Malacia, cost United dearly. (* indicates season badly hit by injury). Getty Images -
A world-class defender on world-class wages who showed his quality in the FA Cup final and left on a high, but injuries, which pockmarked his time at United meant he started only 16 of 38 league games and that’s the issue. Great sides have a stable defence. United’s defence was never close to that in ’23/24. Action Images -
Top defender who, like Varane, proved that in the Cup final where he was disciplined, aggressive, motivated and passed through City’s lines. Yet he suffered from three serious injuries to his foot, knee and calf, which decimated his season. Potential to have a great United career if he stays fit. Getty Images -
Out of the squad at the start of the season when he was linked with a move away from United, but ended up playing more minutes than any of United’s central defenders, despite having injuries himself. Rightly praised for the way he came through a difficult couple of years. AFP -
Was paid the minimum wage before he signed and when he did he barely expected to feature, yet injuries meant Evans ended up playing 1,593 minutes. Epic under siege at Anfield, devasated to miss Liverpool returning to Old Trafford for the FA Cup quarter-final. Experienced, reads games so well, this lifelong fan would be happy to stay another year. Action Images -
Another central defender beset by injuries, first a groin and then a hamstring, he missed two big chunks of the season where he’d started in 12/15 opening league games. Scored the only goal in a 1-0 win home to Luton. AP -
Missed two significant blocks of the season to injury, but finished by starting the last 10 league games playing either left-back or right-back. Better on the right. A fine defender on his day, which is not often enough. Top game in the FA Cup final. PA -
Outstanding for the first half-hour in Munich – and that was about as good as it got for the on loan Spaniard who spent the first half of the season at Old Trafford. EPA -
If Bournemouth away was the low point, then several decent home games showed that the youngster can play Premier League football. Injuries meant he got chances, talent should mean he’ll get more. AFP -
A huge disappointment after last season when he was one of United’s best players. The Brazilian blamed injuries and being asked to play out of position, which he did not shirk. Fans are more circumspect about whether this player, long a world-class performer, has a future at the club. EPA -
A revelation of a breakthrough season from the academy graduate from Greater Manchester. He would have played much more had he not been injured pre-season, but his first Premier League start at Everton in November was stunning. It became a cliche that he looked like he’d played hundreds of games for the club at the top level. His winner at Wolves was one of the season’s best moments. AFP -
A season of regression from the Dane who struggled to get off the bench after a 2-2 home draw against his former club Spurs in January. PA -
Scored 10 goals in a low-scoring team, including key matchwinners. One of the most important starting players in a team that only finished eighth but beat Manchester City to lift the FA Cup. AP -
Arrived late on loan following Mainoo’s injury and he selflessly played out of position when asked – at one point that meant as a left-back, but didn’t convince until the last five weeks of the season when he played his best football in a more pragmatic formation that was tighter off the ball in midfield, including in the FA Cup final. PA -
Optimism when he signed from Chelsea, yet he was a big, injury-hit, disappointment in his first season. A late goal back in West London at Brentford brought brief smiles, but he started only five league games. Action Images -
His importance to Manchester United was shown when he was injured for late-season games, particularly at Crystal Palace. The captain scored 15 times and made 13 assists, winning the fans’ player of the year. EPA -
Encouraging cameos for the young wide man, notably against Liverpool where he got the winner in an FA Cup match. That was the highlight of United’s season until the FA Cup final. Showed his skills against Newcastle in the final home game, too. Will hope for more minutes next season. Getty Images -
Disappointing, especially given his huge fee. Best player on the pitch at Chelsea away and did well against Liverpool when he scored the key cup equaliser, but that’s nowhere near enough. EPA -
What a season for the young winger. His overhead kick goal at Everton was the best of the season in the entire league, he played week in, week out - 50 times in total, with 39 consecutive starts - and seldom failed to get fans off their seats when he got the ball. Scored a creditable 10 goals. AFP -
Poor, by his standards. He scored 30 times last season and only eight this. Fans finally lost patience with him after his off-field indiscipline, yet he remains on a long and large contract. Excellent in the cup final. Reuters -
A complete drain on United’s wage bill, he left the club after nine years this week. He didn’t ask to be injured, but United really needed help up front. PA -
Sixteen goals in his first season in English football is impressive for a young striker. He had weeks and even months where he had little service, but his attitude remained first-class and he’ll surely improve with more support, experience and confidence. Getty Images
