SOFYAN AMRABAT has revealed that Erik ten Hag wanted to keep him at Manchester United – but the Old Trafford hierarchy had other ideas.
The midfielder also sent a cryptic message to club chief Jason Wilcox ahead of United’s visit to Fenerbahce in the Europa League tonight.
Amrabat spent last season on loan at Old Trafford from Fiorentina and racked up 30 appearances across all competitions.
He impressed towards the end of the campaign, producing an excellent performance in the FA Cup final win over Manchester City.
But that was the last time he would wear the United shirt.
On his exit, he told The Mail: “I have a special relationship with Ten Hag since I was a 20-year-old at Utrecht.
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“He wanted to keep me this summer so I wish him the best but not for Thursday. I hope they lose.”
The Morocco international was then asked if he’d like to share anything else about his departure.
To which he cryptically responded: “The only thing that I want to say is that you have to ask Mr Wilcox.”
Wilcox, 53, is the technical director at Carrington who has overall responsibility for “football performance, recruitment and operations”.
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Ten Hag wanted to activate the option to permanently buy Amrabat for £21m but the United echelons thought otherwise, opting to go for Manuel Ugarte from PSG for £51m instead.
Despite a strong performance in the FA Cup final, ongoing injuries meant that he did not start a single Prem game between Christmas and the end of April.
Amrabat expressed his desire to join United on a permanent basis after falling in love with the city and the club in an otherwise difficult season.
In fact, Amrabat reportedly refused to train with his Fiorentina teammates in a bid to try and force through a return to M16.
United mulled over the prospect of re-signing the 28-year-old but a deal failed to materialise.
He joined Fenerbahce on loan in August and is set to feature in Thursday’s Europa League tie against his former side.
Amrabat will join another Old Trafford outcast in Fred, under former United boss Jose Mourinho, who lifted the Europa League with the Prem giants in 2017.
Ten Hag’s Man Utd signings
The Dutchman has brought in 21 players since moving to Old Trafford in 2022
2022-23:
Antony, (Ajax) £86m
Casemiro, (Real Madrid) £70m
Lisandro Martinez, (Ajax) £46m
Tyrell Malacia, (Feyenoord) £13m
Christian Eriksen, (Brentford) free
Martin Dubravka, (Newcastle) loan
Wout Weghorst, (Burnley) loan
Jack Butland, (Crystal Palace) loan
Marcel Sabitzer, (Bayern Munich) loan
2023-24:
Rasmus Hojlund, (Atalanta) £72m
Mason Mount, (Chelsea) £60m
Andre Onana, (Inter Milan) £47m
Sofyan Amrabat, (Fiorentina) loan
Altay Bayindir, (Fenerbahce) £4.3m
Jonny Evans, (Leicester) free
Sergio Reguilon, (Tottenham) loan
2024-25:
Leny Yoro, (Lille) £52m
Manuel Ugarte, (Paris Saint-Germain) £50m
Matthijs de Ligt, (Bayern Munich) £45m
Joshua Zirkee, (Bologna) £36.5m
Noussair Mazraoui, (Bayern Munich) £12.8m
Fred revealed that he was also emotional when United sold him to Fenerbahce for £13m last summer.
He told The Mail: “It was tough because we had adapted to life in Manchester and my wife was pregnant. But football is like this and Fenerbahce supported me a lot.”
When the Europa League draw pitted Fenerbahce – who beat United 2-1 in their last encounter eight years ago when Mourinho was manager – against the Reds, Fred was straight on WhatsApp to his former team-mates.
He revealed: “I messaged Bruno Fernandes saying ‘We will kill you’ and he responded that ‘No, we will kill you’.
“But then my friend got a red card against Porto so he won’t play with us.”
He admits there is still a tinge of sadness seeing United struggle.
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He added: “They are not in the best moment but I support them.
“I’m upset when they don’t get good results or don’t play well but against us, it’s different. On Thursday, they can’t play well.”
Man Utd player ratings vs Brentford
By Neil Custis
MANCHESTER UNITED produced a rousing comeback to beat Brentford at Old Trafford.
Goals by Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund cancelled out Ethan Pinnock’s first-half opener.
The Red Devils’ win will ease pressure on beleaguered boss Erik ten Hag, who this week defiantly blasted reports that he is on the verge of the sack.
On a crucial afternoon for Ten Hag and Co, here’s how SunSport rated each United performer.
ANDRE ONANA – 6
Did not have much to do for a lot of the game but pulled out a good first-half save to deny Christian Norgaard.
DIOGO DALOT – 6
Good display from right-back and almost capped it with a goal when he stormed forward only to have his effort beaten away by Mark Flekken.
MATTHIJS DE LIGT – 6
At the centre of the controversy in first-half injury time as he had to leave the field with a bleeding head wound when Brentford scored from a corner. He was already looking suspect, as was the bandage that was put on his head early in the game in the first place.
JONNY EVANS – 7
Continuing an amazing end to his career at Old Trafford. Man of the Match last time out in the goalless draw at Aston Villa and looked solid again. Great ovation when he came off towards the end.
LISANDRO MARTINEZ – 7
Shifted to an unaccustomed left-back spot but without problems and was particularly good getting forward down the flank.
CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN – 6
Chosen alongside Casemiro instead of new buy Manuel Ugarte who was on the bench again, but struggled to get into this game although he was involved for Hojlund’s goal. Thankful for the referee’s whistle in the first period calling play back for a foul after missing a sitter.
CASEMIRO – 5
Looked like he was off in the summer but back in the team although looking to be missing a yard and often beaten to the ball.
MARCUS RASHFORD – 7
Does not operate as well on the right but Garnacho was so good down the left. Highlight of his first half was an incredible crossfield ball from right to left to set up Garnacho. Then in the second he provided the assist for Garnacho’s leveller.
BRUNO FERNANDES – 7
Tried to orchestrate something from midfield but looked a frustrated figure in the first period. Then he showed his class after the break with that great little flick to set up Hojlund for his goal.
ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 8
Had an all action first half after switching from the right to the left but wasted too many chances. Made up for it in the second with a fine finish from Rashford’s cross in a Man of the Match performance.
RASMUS HOJLUND – 7
After getting one in Porto to open his season’s account he is now off and running with his first league goal of the campaign. A cool, clever chipped little finish it was too. The hope will be that starts a much needed run of goals but he needs to see more of the ball.
SUBSTITUTES
Joshua Zirkzee (for Hojlund, 74) – 5
Strange change to make after Hojlund had just scored. His replacement fluffed the one half chance he had.
Victor Lindelof (for Evans, 89) – 6
A change that largely gave the fans a chance to acclaim Evans’ performance.
Manuel Ugarte (for Casemiro, 88) – 6
A change that probably should have come earlier.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
