Comment: Can Amrabat solve Manchester United’s problems?

The saga of Sofyan Amrabat’s transfer from Italian side Fiorentina to Manchester United has dragged on all summer. First United were interested, then they weren’t, and finally it looked like Erik the Hag would target someone else. However, no one else came forward and so the Moroccan international got the green light. However, this is not a transfer, but only a one-year loan deal for a fee of 10 million euros.

The strengthening of the Red Devils’ midfield line was expected, in fact mandatory. Last season, neither Bruno Fernandes nor Casemiro could get hardly any time off and the reason? There was no adequate replacement for them. Both typologically and, more importantly, positionally.

So in the summer, Mason Mount and Sofyan Amrabat arrived, players who qualitatively definitely have the quality to make the starting lineup. However, Manchester United still has problems, can Amrabat solve them?

Combativeness

Looking at recent games, maybe even seasons, one thing is quite obvious. Manchester United lack the combativeness that players have to turn games around when things aren’t going footballingly well.

This is an aspect that Manchester legends lean into almost week in, week out. It is the Moroccan who knows what it should look like. Think back to the World Cup where he won all the personal battles in the centre of midfield. He was literally everywhere and didn’t let the opposition breathe, something that will be expected of him in Manchester.

Unfortunately for the whole team, one player who is capable of leaving everything on the pitch is not going to solve the problem. However, Amrabat can inspire others with his attitude and it may end up being more than a successful loan spell for United.

Creativity

Amrabat will be a great replacement for Casemiro once the Brazilian gets injured or coach ten Hag wants to rotate the lineup. However, United’s play has been rather skeletal since the start of the season, not eye-catching and even the team is struggling to get into chances.

In the absence of Bruno, almost not at all. But in this respect, the Moroccan probably won’t help, nor can he be expected to.

it’s hard to watch, it’s hard to create chances, and in Bruno’s absence, it’s hard to create chances at all. The Moroccan won’t help in that respect, nor can he be expected to.

With the Amrabat – Casemiro – Mount lineup, it’s going to be tough. In short, if the Englishman doesn’t recover gamely, such a potential line-up composition due to some injuries, for example, will be lethal for United.

Finishing

Another problem that the Moroccan won’t solve is closely related to the previous one. When the team does create some chances, they usually don’t convert them. Antony can’t seem to kick the ball with his right foot, Marcus Rashford is far from 100% when it comes to converting big chances and Rasmus Højlund is yet to come off his injury.

But what Amrabat can threaten with in the whitewash are headers and personal duels in standard situations.

Source: Premier League, Manchester United, Transfermarkt