Manchester United appears prepared to increase their spending over the summer, highlighting a new crucial position that will greatly improve Erik ten Hag’s squad.

Sofyan Amrabat is a Manchester United player.
The most recent information regarding the renewed pursuit comes from Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna, who suggested on Twitter that the Red Devils have taken a significant step towards luring Sofyan Amrabat away from Fiorentina.

He would compose:

“MU made Sofyan Amrabat’s agent a preliminary verbal offer. Al-Ahli also made an offer of 15 million euros. But for the time being, he is uninterested and continues to dream about Liga. If he can’t find a good club, he prefers to stay at Fiorentina. Many major clubs are keeping an eye on his situation.

At the beginning of the month, Fabrizio Romano revealed a rumoured price tag of around €40 million (£35 million), indicating that this could end up being another profitable deal for a team looking to make the necessary additions to truly transform them into Premier League title contenders.

The calibre of Sofyan Amrabat?
The 26-year-old Moroccan midfield general gained notoriety because of his outstanding World Cup performances, but he has also been a reliable performer for his club during the 2022–23 season, underscoring his readiness for such a step-up.

According to Sofascore, in the Serie A, his 90% pass accuracy demonstrates his ability to control the play, and his 1.3 tackles per game highlight his defensive security. In the engine room, he is aggressive, persistent, and impressively shrewd, only engaging in tackles when it is absolutely necessary and otherwise just blocking the space.

It is difficult to help but immediately draw comparisons with Ten Hag’s current enforcer, Casemiro, given this, along with his hulking figure and unrestrained physicality.

The 31-year-old, who was only signed last summer, made an immediate impact at Old Trafford by providing the midfield with the necessary steel to finally take control of games.

According to Sofascore, the Brazilian kept up a 7.21 average rating in the Premier League thanks to his 79% pass accuracy, 3.2 tackles, and 2.1 clearances per game. He was exactly what was required to make Ten Hag’s philosophy shine—solid.

Despite the fact that he is getting older, the similarities between these numbers and Amrabat’s World Cup campaign should make for entertaining viewing, especially since he may now be chosen as his replacement.

His 6.83 average rating over seven games in their historic run to the semifinals may have downplayed his significance. He would have an 85% pass completion rate, but according to Sofascore, his tackles increased to 2.3 per game and his clearances to 1.4 per game.

Such performances even prompted journalist Carlo Garganese to proclaim Amrabat as the competition’s top centre midfielder. MONSTER.”

He could spend a few fruitful years learning from such a legendary midfielder if he decided to relocate to Manchester right away, before eventually taking the former Real Madrid goalkeeper’s place as he moves on.

Further comparisons between the two are made easier by taking One-Versus-One into account, as they rank similarly for fouls per 90 (1.85 vs. 2.33), passes into the final third (8.69 vs. 9.71), and challenges won per 90 (37.81 vs. 38.23). He could easily fit in as the system’s necessary disruptive, progressive, and defensive hero.

After that, Casemiro could depart with confidence knowing that his contribution to Ten Hag’s leadership provided the foundation for their return to the Champions League and subsequent successes.

Amrabat will prove to be a very profitable signing for Manchester United if his career is even half as successful as the ageing general’s was.