Sofyan Amrabat made a positive impression on the English media during his starting debut for Manchester United in the League Cup match against Crystal Palace. The Moroccan international, who played as a left-back, received high ratings in the newspapers.
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Amrabat made his appearance at Old Trafford as a left-back, but in that role, he frequently pushed forward into the midfield. United manager Erik ten Hag was very pleased with the contribution of the former player of FC Utrecht and Feyenoord, and English media were impressed with Amrabat's gameplay.
'Together with Mason Mount, Amrabat might offer Ten Hag the key to success in the midfield,' suggests Manchester Evening News. 'Amrabat is a midfielder who puts out fires all over the field and leads the charge. This time, Amrabat used his physical strength to neutralize direct opponent Jeserun Rak-Sakyi and brought calmness to the ball as he dribbled into the midfield.'
Amrabat, who himself spoke of a 'perfect evening,' received a 7 from Manchester Evening News. Daily Mail rated United's latest summer acquisition with an 8. Only Casemiro received a higher score from the newspaper. 'Amrabat stars for United,' Daily Mail wrote about the Moroccan international's first performance at Old Trafford.
'Amrabat was one of the seven new players in the United team and started as a left-back, but he appeared all over the field. Just not the goal... His dominant play provides plenty of topics for discussion leading up to the next encounter at Old Trafford between United and Crystal Palace, coming this Saturday in the Premier League,' according to the Daily Mail.
The Guardian has high expectations for a collaboration between the veteran Casemiro and Amrabat in United's midfield. 'At times when Casemiro and Amrabat stood side by side in the midfield against Crystal Palace, Ten Hag's team was balanced. Together they exuded a certain craftsmanship.'
