Erik ten Hag wanted to sign 'world-class' star but United did not accept request - Andy Mitten

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag wanted a reunion with midfielder Sofyan Amrabat this summer, according to reputed journalist Andy Mitten.

The Red Devils had an eventful transfer window. They made five high-profile signings in Joshua Zirkzee, Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui and Manuel Ugarte.

The club spent around £180 million on the quintet, but it appears Ten Hag was keen on adding another midfielder to the ranks before the deadline.

Speaking on Talk of the Devils podcast, Mitten said that Ten Hag wanted Amrabat for this season, but the new hierarchy did not approve the request.

He said: “Erik ten Hag wanted Amrabat for this season. And because of the chat within internally, that didn’t happen and that’s fine. This is how Manchester United are working now.”

Amrabat joined the Red Devils from Fiorentina on loan last season with much hype. The club paid a huge fee of £8.4m to secure his services on deadline day.

However, the midfielder struggled to adapt to the pace of the Premier League. He was dropped from the starting XI after Casemiro’s return from injury in 2024.

Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo were the regular pairing in central midfield until late April. Amrabat impressed in the final weeks, but the club did not trigger the £17m buy clause.

There were suggestions that United could negotiate a lower price to re-sign him. Amrabat’s name was present on the club’s first-team list until it was formally removed in August.

In our view, the decision was probably made at that time. United’s board gave preference to signing a young and promising midfielder in Ugarte over a reunion with Amrabat.

Amrabat, who has been described as ‘world-class‘ by manager Walid Regragui, is expected to come up against United this term, having signed for Fenerbahce on an initial loan.

United will face Jose Mourinho’s side away from home in the league phase of the Europa League. The game is scheduled to be played on October 24.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com