Sofyan Amrabat | signs for United on loan

[Abraxas]

Could make sense. I don't read much into performances for Morocco in a deep lying team. Mainly because that is nothing like playing at Man Utd. We have to be proactive and the spaces become bigger and more difficult to manage. Athleticism to cover gaps and counters is much harder at United, ask Harry Maguire.

I wasn't so impressed with how he managed spaces defensively in the final. He had a great first half where he did a good metronome impression playing simply, but Fiorentina were getting played through as the game progressed.

So in truth I wouldn't be enamored by what I've seen but at the same time it could be a cut price Casemiro alternative which is sorely needed.

 

[RuudTom83]

I believe the rumours are coming from Amradat's side more so than United...me thinks he wants a move this summer.

 

[mu4c_20le]

 

[December_16]

Makes sense that we won’t move to sign him unless we’re clearing some space first.

 

[Lash]

This guy a bluffer

 

[mu4c_20le]

This guy a bluffer

Didn't he used to take photos for the club or was that someone else

 

[Cassidy]

Didn't he used to take photos for the club or was that someone else

Someone else

 

[Anustart89]

Didn't he used to take photos for the club or was that someone else

That's Craig Norwood

 

[Dazzmondo]

His progressive numbers are good in midfield and he plays deep so his attacking numbers will always be subdued as he isn't really a playmakers. The defensive numbers look very low but any analyst will tell you that player statistics become less reliable the further back you play and lots of defensive stats are more indicative of a team's style of play than player quality. For example, there's an argument that really good defenders shouldn't be making lots of tackles as it means they're not anticipating play well and so while low tackling numbers on fbref may be perceived as being poor, it doesn't reflect the context behind it.

This is true. I think the one that surprises me is his interceptions not being higher. Generally top dms might not have crazy amounts of tackles but their interceptions tend to be high due to their great positioning. His numbers are very different to Casemiro in any case.

 

[OleGunnar20]

I think Arsenal are going to be prepared to release either Nketiah or Balogun this summer and tbh, I'd take either. Not necessarily guarantees but Nketiah has improved a lot in the last couple of years and Balogun could become a very good striker. Both likely to still be relatively expensive but obviously nowhere near the Kane/Osimhen/Ramos range.

I've barely seen either to be fair but Balogun has done well in France this year I think?

 

[KanieKaned]

We simply have to get a Striker

I don't disagree with you on this. The first issue is what we can afford to spend and the second one is the dearth of real strikers out there. We are in a bit of a bind. If Ivan Toney hadn't fecked himself for next season with his ban I would have been casting eyes in his direction to do a job for us and potentially being within budget.

 

[NotoriousISSY]

Are people really posting tweets from this account still?

The absolute pits of football twitter.

 

[Bojan Djordjic]

I've barely seen either to be fair but Balogun has done well in France this year I think?

Yeah, got over 21 league goals in France and although six were penalties, his non-penalty xg for the season was 21 so it looks repeatable for him to be hitting those types of numbers. Think I would prefer him to the likes of Ramos and I think he would be more of a sure thing this season than Hojlund, although Hojlund could well develop into a better player in the next couple of years.

Nketiah is in the 94th percentile for xG but he's also fairly decent at the other stuff that's a nice to have for a forward such as ball retention, link up play etc.

 

[Levi1]

What about Kalvin Philips?

 

[Bojan Djordjic]

Not sure signing Arsenal rejects is the way forward for UTD.

Hardly rejects. Three players for one position at Arsenal so one must go. That one player will still be better than anything we have and probably better than anyone we can identify in the market for the probably price point.

 

[Rolaholic]

 

[reddevilz007]

30 mil euros is pretty cheap, just sell Fred or McTominay and get it dond.
Pure dm, could allow Casemiro to even be a box-to-box

 

[Highfather_24]

Sell McT for 25M, and get him for the same price. Its an upgrade, no matter how you look at it.

 

[Real Name]

What about Kalvin Philips?

Was wondering that too, he'll probably warm the bench the whole of next season too. Just because.

 

[BorisManUtd]

Just sell one of Fred/McTominay + Telles and Bailly.

 

[LawCharltonBest]

This is one of those rumours it's obvious isn't going to happen but it keeps getting spoken about.

Like Minge or whatever his name was from Napoli.

 

[evil_geko]

I haven't watched him much, and some in this thread are saying he is not a DM at all and requires good DM beside him, while others say he is pure DM, which one is it?

 

[NLunited]

I haven't watched him much, and some in this thread are saying he is not a DM at all and requires good DM beside him, while others say he is pure DM, which one is it?

He is a dm, with good passing stats and press resistant. His defensive stats aren‘t as good as Casemiro but he is a better playmaker.

 

[evil_geko]

He is a dm, with good passing stats and press resistant. His defensive stats aren‘t as good as Casemiro but he is a better playmaker.

Cheers. If that's the case, the deal sounds great.

 

[captaincantona]

I think it’s about improving the squad. McT is simply not good enough on the ball or in his positioning to play deeper in a team that dominates the ball and can play out from the back. He is also not a starter.

Amrabat would be a squad upgrade in that regard and imo. I have seen 10 or so games from him and his positioning, his willingness to show for the ball, ability to find the right pass and calmness under pressure were what stood out every single game as well as how he stood out as being a key player for Morocco or Fiorentina in every game I’ve seen.

 

[croadyman]

This is one of those rumours it's obvious isn't going to happen but it keeps getting spoken about.

Like Minge or whatever his name was from Napoli.

Think it depends whether Erik can get younger option,if not then could see us going for him as experienced cover at DM

 

[Bojan Djordjic]

30 mil euros is pretty cheap, just sell Fred or McTominay and get it dond.
Pure dm, could allow Casemiro to even be a box-to-box

It's not a high value but I think it's a bit high for a guy who probably isn't going to develop much more and has no chance of taking over from Casemiro long term. I think I would prefer to take that €30mn and go to South America and spend it on André Trinidad and Matheus Martinelli which would leave us with quality young support for 6 and 8. Other alternatives might be Redondo or Alan Varela at Boca.

 

[croadyman]

It's not a high value but I think it's a bit high for a guy who probably isn't going to develop much more and has no chance of taking over from Casemiro long term. I think I would prefer to take that €30mn and go to South America and spend it on André Trinidad and Matheus Martinelli which would leave us with quality young support for 6 and 8. Other alternatives might be Redondo or Alan Varela at Boca.

Yeah we don't seem interested in doing that

 

[OverratedOpinion]

Yeah we don't seem interested in doing that

You're the hypothetical killer today

Not a dig. Just noticed.

 

[croadyman]

You're the hypothetical killer today

Not a dig. Just noticed.

Just want to see us looking at younger options

 

[lex talionis]

30 mil euros is pretty cheap, just sell Fred or McTominay and get it dond.
Pure dm, could allow Casemiro to even be a box-to-box

An archetypal no-brainer. We should be all over this like locusts descending on Pharoah…or something like that.

 

[NLunited]

Think it depends whether Erik can get younger option,if not then could see us going for him as experienced cover at DM

He is 26.

 

[croadyman]

An archetypal no-brainer. We should be all over this like locusts descending on Pharoah…or something like that.

Yeah wish we could sell both Fred & McTominay but get the impression Erik hasn't decided who he wants to sign in build up role

 

[croadyman]

He is 26.

Yeah for some reason I thought he was 30

 

[Red Comet]

.So in truth I wouldn't be enamored by what I've seen but at the same time it could be a cut price Casemiro alternative which is sorely needed.

if a cut price Casemiro alternative is what we are looking for then I hope we are looking at Andre from Fluminese. From what I’ve seen I think he has good potential to even be Casemiro’s successor in the international squad

 

[Enigma_87]

it's a non brainer this. Very good player as a rotation option who would play 30 games per season easily.

At that price we should do the deal on the spot.

 

[croadyman]

if a cut price Casemiro alternative is what we are looking for then I hope we are looking at Andre from Fluminese. From what I’ve seen I think he has good potential to even be Casemiro’s successor in the international squad

My gut feeling is Erik is looking for experience

 

[bond19821982]

Just sell one of Fred/McTominay + Telles and Bailly.

Easier said than done.

 

[lex talionis]

Yeah wish we could sell both Fred & McTominay but get the impression Erik hasn't decided who he wants to sign in build up role

Erik know his players far better than I, but it seems an easy call to sell McTominay and keep Fred…if it’s down to one or the other.

Selling McTominay and Van De Beek (whom I don’t despise, but it’s clear he needs to move on) should more than cover the reported cost of buying Amrabat.

 

[croadyman]

Erik know his players far better than I, but it seems an easy call to sell McTominay and keep Fred…if it’s down to one or the other.

Selling McTominay and Van De Beek (whom I don’t despise, but it’s clear he needs to move on) should more than cover the reported cost of buying Amrabat.

Selling McTominay should do it alone