Manchester United have a pivotal summer on the horizon as Sir Jim Ratcliffe gears up for his first window as the club’s co-owner.
Significant decisions will need to be made across the board, with sagas such as Jadon Sancho’s future, Mason Greenwood’s, and Erik ten Hag’s all needing to reach their conclusion before 2024/2025 rolls around.
As well as that, several other loanees will return to the club next month in hopes of receiving clarity on their statuses as United players.
Last year, the only player to actually arrive at Old Trafford on a temporary deal was Sofyan Amrabat, who put pen to paper on a season-long loan deal on deadline day after weeks of being linked with a move.
He was acquired to bolster Ten Hag’s midfield options throughout his sophomore term, yet the emergence of Kobbie Mainoo and goalscoring heroics of Scott McTominay meant that there was little room for the Moroccan to cement a place in the starting 11.
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The odd time he was granted a chance to showcase his abilities, his performances didn’t really reach the level that fans had initially expected of him, with many anticipating a complete replica of the formidable midfielder they saw at the World Cup in 2022.
Amrabat did, however, exhibit much more noteworthy showings in the final weeks of the season. He was called upon to fill in for the deputising Casemiro, starting the final three games of the Premier League campaign before being deployed from the offset in last Saturday’s FA Cup final.
Indeed, the 27-year-old, who earns a reported £65,000 per week, put in a spirited shift to ensure United made it over the line and got their hands on the trophy, earning himself a winners’ medal in the process.
Amrabat has played his final game as a Red
But it ultimately came too late for the club’s hierarchy to change their minds over Amrabat’s future. Reports had already suggested in recent months that they would opt against activating his £21.4 million buy clause, and according to Football Insider, this remains the case as his loan spell now approaches its end.
He will return to parent club Fiorentina in June, where he has one year remaining on his current contract.
As a Season Ticket Holder for many years and witnessed the clubs steady decline I am bemused that Amrabat when finally being allowed to play in his favoured position was excellent. Previously because of Uniteds large injury list he played in many different positions. The last few games he played showed what he’s capable of and the real reason they brought him into the club. Ratcliffe should in my opinion negotiate the “release clause” amount with Fiorentina to keep him. United probably won’t, instead doing what they have before regards the fortunes wasted on players like Anthony Martial, lets hope they don’t.
Always struck me as being too slow for the PL
I thought he was a joke when he came on most of the season often often overcommiting defensively. However the last 4 games he was one of our best players. with that potential let’s keep him at that cost.
He wasn’t the only loaner
Keep him. 21.4 is a bargain. When played in his correct position he’s at his best