Ten Hag’s request to sign midfielder REJECTED by Man Utd bosses

Carlo Garganese

• 3 Sep 2024 06:30 CDT
• 3 min read

Erik ten Hag’s request to re-sign Sofyan Amrabat this season was rejected by Manchester United bosses.

Amrabat spent last season on loan at Man Utd from Fiorentina, and Andy Mitten reports that Ten Hag wanted to bring him back to Old Trafford again this term.

Ten Hag believed that Amrabat’s improved performances in the second half of last season and his tactical discipline in protecting the back four were a reason to sign him.

READ MORE: Premier League summer transfers 2024: All the Done Deals

However, Mitten says that Ten Hag’s request was swiftly rejected by the Man Utd hierarchy.

Instead, United have signed a similar destroyer in Manuel Ugarte from PSG.

As for Amrabat, after returning to Fiorentina, he joined Fenerbahce last week on loan with an obligation to sign.

The Istanbul giants have paid a €2 million loan fee, while the purchase obligation stands at €13m. Additionally, Fiorentina could secure up to €3m in bonus payments.

Amrabat at Man Utd

Man Utd paid €9 million last summer to sign Amrabat on loan for the 2023-24 season from Fiorentina.

READ MORE: Latest Man Utd transfer news

The Red Devils had the option to make the deal permanent for €25m at the end of the campaign.

However, United opted against activating that option as the 28-year-old disappointed for the first half of the season.

Despite his struggles at Man Utd, he did have a strong end to the season.

This culminated in an excellent performance in the FA Cup final win over Man City.

These performances gained the attention of other Premier League clubs such as Crystal Palace and Fulham, but he instead signed for Fenerbahce.

The Moroccan established himself as one of Europe’s most admired central midfielders at Fiorentina, with Barcelona and Chelsea also trying to sign him during the January transfer window of 2023.

Amrabat was also arguably the best midfielder at World Cup 2022, playing a crucial role for a Morocco team that stunned everyone in reaching the semi-finals.