In a significant blow to Manchester United, manager Erik ten Hag has confirmed that Sofyan Amrabat will be unavailable for this afternoon’s clash against Brighton at Old Trafford. The Moroccan midfielder, who joined the club on a season-long loan from Fiorentina during the summer, had already missed the recent defeat to Arsenal due to registration issues. Unfortunately, his return has been further delayed by a minor injury sustained during the international break.
Ten Hag delivered the injury update during his pre-match press conference, where he also revealed that Mason Mount and Raphael Varane would not feature in the game. On a more positive note, Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof are both available for selection.
Regarding Amrabat’s potential return, Ten Hag expressed optimism, saying, “I think so, yeah. We are a little bit short of defenders, so [Reguilon] can come quickly. Amrabat, he came back unfortunately with the injury, so he will not be available for tomorrow [Saturday], but I think, on the short notice [soon], yes. And I’m sure we will all get joy from them.”
Although Amrabat has yet to make his debut for Manchester United, his abilities are well-known. He has been previously described as a “monster” by reporter Carlo Garganese. Amrabat, whose weekly wage stands at £65,000, boasts an impressive 89.8% pass success rate from last season’s Serie A. He is known for his composure on the ball and his penchant for tackles, averaging 1.3 tackles per game, according to WhoScored.
Furthermore, the 27-year-old is a versatile player, having been deployed in eight different positions throughout his career, including various roles in midfield and defense. This versatility makes him a valuable asset for Ten Hag, especially when covering unexpected injuries arises.
Sofyan Amrabat also brings a winning mentality, having secured four senior trophies in his career. This experience will undoubtedly prove beneficial to Manchester United when he returns to full fitness, as he can impart his winning mindset to the rest of the squad.
While Amrabat’s absence is a setback, the anticipation of his return and the potential impact he can have on the team’s performance will keep fans eagerly awaiting his debut in the iconic Manchester United jersey.