Manchester United have had a busy transfer window already but they aren't done yet. The rumoured Sofyan Amrabat transfer is picking up pace, while the Red Devils are also said to be preparing a bid for Atlanta striker, Rasmus Hojlund. If United can get these two deals over the line then there will be a genuine belief within the club that they can challenge for major honours next season, however, there is still a lot of work to do to get both deals over the line.
First and foremost, the club are in a position where they need to sell players to top up their transfer kitty due to a combination of financial fair play and debt repayment issues. They have just completed the sale of Anthony Elanga to Nottingham Forest for £15m, while speculation continues to grow about the futures of Harry Maguire and Fred.
If the club does find itself in a position where a move for Sofyan Amrabat becomes plausible then they should do everything in their power to get it done. Here are three key reasons why.
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Why Manchester United should sign Ambrabat
He would provide them with better depth
The number one reason for Man Utd to sign Amrabat is that he would provide them with excellent depth in midfield. Last season, United suffered when any of their starting midfield (Casemiro, Eriksen, Fernandes) were missing from action.
Amrabat is a player who is a hybrid between a number six and a number eight meaning he could fill in for anyone in their midfield at any given time. This would not only give Erik Ten Hag more peace of mind if one of his starters is ruled out but it would also allow him to rotate his midfield more efficiently.
The Dutchman didn't seem to trust the likes of Fred and Scott Mctominay last season and both players are now reportedly up for sale. After signing Mason Mount, the addition of Amrabat would mean that Ten Hag has Casemiro, Mount, Fernandes, Eriksen and Amrabat as five legitimate midfield starters in his squad. There aren't many better midfields in the Premier League than that.
#mufc have reactivated contacts for Sofyan Amrabat and plan to close a deal for €25m plus add-ons with Fiorentina soon [@marcoconterio] pic.twitter.com/YF1KL9ZWUf
— utdreport (@utdreport) July 25, 2023
He could learn from Casemiro
If Amrabat signs for Manchester United then the Moroccan will be able to learn the ropes from Casemiro. Although Amrabat can play as an eight, his preferred position is more of a six and there aren't many better sixes around in world football than Casemiro. Learning from the five-time Champions League winner would elevate his game to a whole new level.
Not only will this be of huge benefit to the player, but United would also reap the rewards. Casemiro missed eight games via suspension last season and the drop-off in his absence was startling. Having someone ready-made to take his spot and rotate with can only be a good thing for Ten Hag.
He won't cost a lot of money
Finally, the deal for Amrabat wouldn't cost Manchester United a significant amount of money which will surely appeal to them as they battle against debt interest and financial fair play restrictions. According to reports, Fiorentina would be willing to accept an offer of around £22m for the Moroccan while personal teams are already said to have been agreed.
Considering they may well end up having to pay over the odds for Hojlund, while the prospect of a last-ditch effort to prise Harry Kane away from Tottenham is also possible, the appeal of a cut-price deal for Amrabat is clear. If they do decide to proceed with the deal then the club will finally have the midfield depth they've been craving for several seasons.
