In the Carabao Cup match against Crystal Palace, Sofyan Amrabat showcased his skills and left a lasting impression. He was one of the standout players on the field as Manchester United cruised to a 3-0 victory over a lackluster Crystal Palace side.
Amrabat’s contribution included a goal from Alejandro Garnacho, an outstanding display that earned him the title of player of the match, and an impressive performance by Casemiro and Anthony Martial.
If Amrabat can consistently replicate his performance throughout the season, it would be a significant boost for Erik ten Hag and Manchester United.
Amrabat had only made his debut for Manchester United a few days prior in a 1-0 victory against Burnley, having joined the club over the summer with a pre-existing injury. While his time on the pitch against Burnley was limited, he truly shone against Palace.
In the Carabao Cup match, Amrabat, typically a holding midfielder, was positioned as a left-back, directly facing off against Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, a standout talent from Palace’s academy. Amrabat effectively neutralized Rak-Sakyi’s threat, leading to Rak-Sakyi being substituted at halftime.
Throughout the game, the Moroccan seamlessly transitioned into midfield, providing valuable support to Casemiro and Hannibal Mejbri before being substituted after an hour.
His versatile performance earned him praise not only from United fans but also from former United center-back Steve Bruce, who commented, “Amrabat looks like a player. I don’t know whether he’s playing left-back or central midfielder, but he looks like a player!”
Manchester United secured Amrabat’s services from Fiorentina on Transfer Deadline Day through a season-long loan with an option to buy. The loan deal includes a payment of £8.5 million (€10 million), with an option to make the transfer permanent for £21.4 million (€25 million).
Amrabat initially gained recognition for his performances with the Moroccan national team at the previous year’s World Cup, where Morocco finished fourth.
Sofyan Amrabat’s impressive display in the Carabao Cup against Crystal Palace demonstrated why Erik ten Hag brought him to Old Trafford. Despite being known primarily as a defensive midfielder, the 27-year-old Moroccan showcased his abilities during his full debut for Manchester United.
Sofyan Amrabat, as far as first starts go, they don’t get much cooler and smoother than that.
Retention, tenacity, energy and composure.
Moroccan Lock 🔒 pic.twitter.com/nXZKeps8Gc
— h (@htomufc) September 26, 2023
Having made his Premier League debut as a substitute against Burnley, Amrabat took on the left-back role against Crystal Palace and excelled. He maintained an exceptional 96% pass accuracy, completing 83 out of 87 attempted passes. Additionally, he won five out of six duels, a statistic that undoubtedly pleased United supporters following a less-than-convincing start to the Premier League campaign.
Social media reactions to Amrabat’s performance were overwhelmingly positive. Fans noted his composure, awareness, and willingness to take possession, which they believed would greatly enhance the team’s dynamics under Erik ten Hag’s management.
Erik ten Hag explained his decision to play Amrabat at left-back before kick-off, acknowledging that it had been a while since Amrabat played in that position. However, he expressed confidence in Amrabat’s versatility and commitment to doing whatever the team required.
In summary, Sofyan Amrabat’s standout performance against Crystal Palace has put him in the spotlight at Manchester United, and his versatility and strong performance have earned him praise from fans and experts alike, making him a valuable asset for the club.
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