Sofyan Amrabat | 2023/24 Performances

[MadDogg]

We loaned him out. We're just run by geniuses.

To be fair, it's almost certainly a better long-term decision to loan out a youngster to get actual game-time rather than keeping them around to be our fifth choice emergency backup. We've just been incredibly unlucky that four of our five fullbacks are all injured at the same time (I'm including AWB here since his absence means Dalot can't be an option on the left).

 

[NZT-One]

Read the effusive comments in his debut match thread. He showed a lot. I think you are underestimating the effect the responsibility of being the left back would have on your general play. Playing no6 knowing you have a left back with you is different to playing no6 when you also have to BE the left back.

This is true for sure but I don't think, that this applies to what is happening on the pitch. No player is expected to play two positions, if a player drifts wide or tucks in, another player will take responsibility for the vacated space. If this is working is down to the quality of the plan and the awareness of the involved players. I know, you rate him higher than I do, fair enough - I also think, he will look a bit more natural in the middle of the park. But I wouldn't be shocked if more is needed than to just put him into another starting position. He looks overawed for now. Don't think, that this will fade away just because.

Ten Hag said he was able to play LB when we signed him (rightly or wrongly). Hopefully he's realised that he was wrong.

Other than the positional change, I think he's another midfielder that falls into the 'average' bracket that many of our others do/did (McTominay, Fred, Sabitzer, VDB). I don't think he looks better than Fred if I'm honest. Maybe more robust physically, but a lot slower with a bit of an ambling gait, not overly assured on the ball, his passes have a loose look at times even if they do somehow make it to their man. If I'm honest, an opposition manager will be looking at him in midfield as a big opportunity - as soon as he is pressed he is all over the place, much like Fred.

He's certainly not going to revolutionise our midfield like some hoped. In the right set up with a decent plan then he could form part of a solid midfield 3 unit. Don't think he's got the outstanding individual qualities to really stand out the way we try to play.

My feeling as well but we also have to note, that even better players needed time to adjust to the premier league and to a top club environment. I think, it is safe to say, that the physicality, skillset and probably mentality he brings, work in his favor, so there is hope. But I agree, I also don't see him as some sort of corner stone for the United midfield. But to be honest, not one of our current midfielders falls into this bracket...

 

[OrcaFat]

This is true for sure but I don't think, that this applies to what is happening on the pitch. No player is expected to play two positions, if a player drifts wide or tucks in, another player will take responsibility for the vacated space. If this is working is down to the quality of the plan and the awareness of the involved players. I know, you rate him higher than I do, fair enough - I also think, he will look a bit more natural in the middle of the park. But I wouldn't be shocked if more is needed than to just put him into another starting position. He looks overawed for now. Don't think, that this will fade away just because.


My feeling as well but we also have to note, that even better players needed time to adjust to the premier league and to a top club environment. I think, it is safe to say, that the physicality, skillset and probably mentality he brings, work in his favor, so there is hope. But I agree, I also don't see him as some sort of corner stone for the United midfield. But to be honest, not one of our current midfielders falls into this bracket...

Yeah but he can’t relax and play his normal game in CM if he’s thinking about what’s happening in the flank he’s vacated. The inverted full back is better played by a full back than a CM imo. Add to that the obvious fact that our players don’t fill in properly yet - hopefully they will soon but in any case, it’s quite a big ask for a new player coming in, barely match fit and with insufficient basis to trust his team mates.

But still, I would hope he does better after settling in and playing his regular position. Not too much point in doubting that at this stage.

Of course, it is another thing again for him to be a significant upgrade to the team in that position. Not many people expected that from him, only that he is competent enough to challenge Casemiro and provide tactical or relief options if he’s not able to nail down a starting spot.

And even though I do rate him, you may recall I always said he might struggle to get regular starts but can still improve the squad and even lift the level of guys who get selected ahead of him.

 

[quadrant]

I think this weekend we need to find a way to have him alongside Casemiro in front of the back four. I've said before I'd love to replicate Barca's formation from last season, having Amrabat and Casemiro would be one benefit from using it.

 

[city-puma]

He seems excellent operating in tight space in midfield.

 

[city-puma]

I think this weekend we need to find a way to have him alongside Casemiro in front of the back four. I've said before I'd love to replicate Barca's formation from last season, having Amrabat and Casemiro would be one benefit from using it.

We also need Maguire. Apparently, Brentford will play a lot of long ball.

 

[pocco]

He seems excellent operating in tight space in midfield.

Do you think? I thought he looked like he struggled with pressure. I was away at the weekend and thankfully missed the Palace 'performance', but from what I've read it sounds like he struggled in this aspect in that game too.

We also need Maguire. Apparently, Brentford will play a lot of long ball.

Where have you heard this? Genuine question as I've not seen them much this season (just vs Spurs) but that's not what I saw from them last season when they were in better form.

 

[Anustart89]

We loaned him out. We're just run by geniuses.

Yeah, only a moron couldn’t foresee that we’d get all three left backs injured at the same time so the only guy who could play left back had to play right back exclusively because oh wait our right back got injured too.

 

[Cassidy]

Disagree entirely, no CBs would drop deeper in that situation, they are leading the line.
Amrabat should have stepped up and didn't.
The ball was played forward, Amrabat should have the awareness to step up, leave Icardi offside, alas he didn't. Not entirely his fault, that's not his natural game but he should still know and do better.

Just one snippet from a write-up on the game last night: Victor Lindelöf stepped up and watched the ball bounce past him and Icardi was through, Amrabat having played him onside

Rest defence….
Amrabat isnt going to be able to step up in that amount of time. Which is why the error that Amrabat makes is making that pass in the first place. The right decision was a much safer pass or back to the keeper to reset.
That is the error he makes.

 

[Dve]

He seems excellent operating in tight space in midfield.

Not sure I agree with that. To me, he seldom seems fully in control of the situation when he receives the ball in the middle. I have a feeling he'll be another Sabitzer; with other words, pretty ok, but not someone that will raise the standard much from what we already had. If he continues like he's done the last two matches, I think he'll soon enough find himself starting on the bench more often that not - unless Casemiro is being dropped. Soon we'll have Mainoo back as well. But we'll see; it's early days, of course.

 

[Dve]

Hard to judge a player being played completely out of position. But I still believe he's far too slow with the ball and will be caught out in midfield

Ok, he has been used on the left back, so his positioning errors can be forgiven, but still, when we play out from the back, he's operating as an extra midfielder more than a LB. So not completely out of position then, and I agree with your last sentence; so far he hasn't looked lik the ball controlling midfielder we hoped he would be.

 

[city-puma]

Not sure I agree with that. To me, he seldom seems fully in control of the situation when he receives the ball in the middle. I have a feeling he'll be another Sabitzer; with other words, pretty ok, but not someone that will raise the standard much from what we already had. If he continues like he's done the last two matches, I think he'll soon enough find himself starting on the bench more often that not - unless Casemiro is being dropped. Soon we'll have Mainoo back as well. But we'll see; it's early days, of course.

He looks really good in that aspect. He does that kind of baby stepping when carrying ball in tight spaces and shells the ball by his body frame really well.

 

[city-puma]

Do you think? I thought he looked like he struggled with pressure. I was away at the weekend and thankfully missed the Palace 'performance', but from what I've read it sounds like he struggled in this aspect in that game too.



Where have you heard this? Genuine question as I've not seen them much this season (just vs Spurs) but that's not what I saw from them last season when they were in better form.

It’s almost for sure Brentford will copy Galatasary’s tactic. Remember how physical and quick their players are. Just bump the ball to skip midfield and Lindelof will be bullied as we all know.
I am not sure if ETH will change our approach to counter that. But if we lose again, it’s hard to imagine the storm following.

 

[Bobski]

Was decent today, nothing special but calm on the ball if rather slow in using it, rarely gives it away. Not particularly expansive with his passing and a bit pedestrian at times but he is a decent player who will look better if those around him are performing. Don't see him as a guy Utd will be buying though, need more.

He did some worrying ball watching at times as well when it came to being aware of runners, needs to fix that quick.

 

[FrankDrebin]

Thought he was alright considering.
Probably have a midfield of Amrabat--McTom-- for the time being.

 

[bosnian_red]

I'd say so far he looks like someone we won't make permanent. But it's hard to look good in a disaster club which we've been. But he's looked slow, heavy touches and just bundles into players off the ball. He's better than that. But not good so far.

 

[cyberman]

He had a really big last 20 minutes. Only player who was spreading play and switching it left to right

 

[The_Midfielder]

Looked better than Casemiro

 

[Idxomer]

He looked far better than Casemiro this season playing as a lone defensive midfielder.

 

[Abraxas]

Alright. Nothing amazing. You can see his passing and general play is more steady Eddie than anything, he's not going to rip anyone apart. But if the options and movement are there ahead of him I think he'll find the obvious passes.

But given Casemiro is playing poorly steady Eddie is better than other options.

 

[Rockets Redglare]

I said in the matchday thread that he looked miles off the level earlier on, but he definitely grew into the game.

 

[PoTMS]

I don't think he played well, if I'm being honest. Being better than (current form) Casemiro isn't quite good enough.

 

[avgp_1]

Showed glimpses of what he can do well with those couple of passes through the lines in the second half and turns away from pressure.
But has to do it more regularly, cant have phases of play when he cruises around

 

[DickDastardly]

Needs game time.

Looks slow, rusty and late to everything.

Also hogs the ball for too long.

 

[Bobski]

Really reluctant to pass the ball forward quickly, but when he finally decides to he can do it, so it is a strange issue with him.

 

[elmo]

I said in the matchday thread that he looked miles off the level earlier on, but he definitely grew into the game.

Basically because Casemiro was subbed off and Eriksen actually plays in midfield instead of running towards goal every opportunity he gets.

 

[justboy68]

Mixed bag but he did find a few nice passes into Hojlund. Held his own better than his starting midfield partners anyway.

 

[Abraxas]

Really reluctant to pass the ball forward quickly, but when he finally decides to he can do it, so it is a strange issue with him.

Yeah, I think that could be sharpness related. Can't be easy coming in without solid fitness behind you and the team isn't doing very well then you're lumped in out of position. He looks like he's searching for a bit of confidence and form and then hopefully he'll quicken things up. You tend to do things quicker when you're confident about the outcome I guess, at the moment it is quite deliberate and making sure the touch and pass is okay.

 

[pocco]

He plays like he's running through mud. He's exactly what you'd expect from a 27 year old loan player from Fiorentina, who has only ever played at C level teams.

 

[DWelbz19]

Too quick for him. Unsurprising, really.

 

[Superunknown]

Needs game time.

Looks slow, rusty and late to everything.

Also hogs the ball for too long.

These are the things I've noticed too, especially that last one. I didn't know enough about him before us signing him, but I'm surprised at just how much he does that last one on your list.

 

[NZT-One]

Did a little better in 2nd half but difficult to see anything special that would warrant spending money on him... I think, it is noteworthy how weak he looks in shoulder to shoulder duels.

 

[3KDré]

Need to play him, Mount and Mejbri till Fernandes and Casemiro fix up. Not even because he's been so good but because they've been terrible.

 

[El Jefe]

He plays like he's running through mud. He's exactly what you'd expect from a 27 year old loan player from Fiorentina, who has only ever played at C level teams.

That’s what I thought too. He was pretty good in the last 15mins where Brentford looked intent on just defending but he’s not a player I see us keeping.

 

[SirScholes]

Actually think he was better when casemiro went off
He tried to take responsibility with some nice passes fizzed into the strikers

 

[pocco]

Have we committed to signing him?

 

[NZT-One]

Thought he was alright considering.
Probably have a midfield of Amrabat--McTom-- for the time being.

Hopefully not. I wonder how you come up with such an idea. Have you seen how awful we looked for 92 minutes of the game? And then your plan is to add another bad passer into the middle?! McTom won us the game because we throw the sink at them, that isn't a longterm strategy and against a better team, we might even get killed on a counter. McTominay did well today, but that doesn't help us anything in terms of plan how we want to play the game. At least as long we aren't deciding him to play as SS behind Hojlund.

 

[NZT-One]

Have we committed to signing him?

No. As far as I know, the loan fee was as high because we insisted that there is a break option.

 

[DickDastardly]

Have we committed to signing him?

Don't think so.

If he keeps this up, don't think we will.

Needs to play faster. This isn't the Serie A

 

[Idxomer]

Actually think he was better when casemiro went off
He tried to take responsibility with some nice passes fizzed into the strikers

Yep, and they always reached their target.

He misplaced only 2 passes and had 3 key passes.