Man United are being linked with a move for Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat ahead of the transfer window closing next week....CONTINUE READING
With just over a week to go until the summer transfer window slams shut, Manchester United’s 2-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur has highlighted their need for further reinforcements.
United were second best for the second game running, producing an underwhelming performance in north London. Pape Sarr gave Tottenham the lead just four minutes into the second half before Lisandro Martinez netted an own goal in the closing stages to condemn United to their first defeat of the season.
Despite creating a cluster of chances in the first half, the best of which was missed by Bruno Fernandes, United were firmly second best after the break. They were overrun in midfield and their lack of defensive nous in that area of the team was alarming.
It is, therefore, hardly surprising that United are being linked with a move for another defensive midfielder. Though the Reds have added Mason Mount to their pool of midfielders this summer, they still require a defensive-minded operator who can compete with Casemiro or play alongside him.
The Reds, who face Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford this coming weekend, have been linked with a move for Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat. That being said, reports in the Italian media connecting him with a move to M16 are understood to have been overstated.
He is in the final year of his contract at the Serie A club and is attracting interest from a plethora of suitors. He wants to leave ahead of the window closing and Fiorentina are not planning to stand in his way.
Chief executive Joe Barone said: “We are always ready for other entries and exits. If there’s someone who isn’t happy, we can satisfy him between now and the end of the transfer window.”
Amrabat, who has previously worked with United manager Erik ten Hag at FC Utrecht in the Netherlands, would add some much-needed grit to the Reds’ midfield. He is a ball-winning midfielder and is capable of dictating play from deep.
If United were to secure his signature, plenty of fans would likely want his name on the back of their 2023/24 replica shirts. But what shirt number would he wear if he was to join the Reds?
Currently, the midfielder wears the No.34 shirt at Fiorentina – a number he has sported ever since arriving at the club from Hellas Verona in 2020. He also wore No.34 in his only season at Verona, meaning he has worn it at club level since 2019.
At the moment, the No.34 shirt is occupied at United by fellow midfielder Donny van de Beek. However, his future at Old Trafford hangs in the balance after Ten Hag, following the defeat at Spurs, confirmed he will not consider him for selection amid the possibility he could leave the club before the window shuts.
If Van de Beek moves on it would open the door for Amrabat, in the event of him joining United, to take the No.34 shirt at his third different club. Though he has worn No.34 in recent years, the 27-year-old has also sported No.6, No.21, No.25 and No.44 at senior level during his club career….READFULL
