Home Football Pocketing the duo, Amrabat suffocated Chelsea’s midfield

Pocketing the duo, Amrabat suffocated Chelsea’s midfield

Football — 12/07/2023

When the team news dropped an hour before kick-off, there were some audible groans when Kobbie Mainoo was left out for Manchester United.. In came Sofyan Amrabat who had much to prove following a rather dismal few months in the Premier League for Manchester United and this was verging on the last chance saloon territory. Despite being just four months into his loan deal from Fiorentina, the emergence of Kobbie Mainoo meant the Moroccan’s future at Old Trafford looked to be heading only one way.

However, that decision may need some rethinking as the Moroccan midfielder finally showed the Red Devils what they have been waiting for.

Amrabat’s game by numbers

Starting alongside Scottish midfielder Scott McTominay, who netted both goals for the Red Devils at Old Trafford, the 27-year-old kept things straightforward.

Amrabat performed a duty for which he is rarely praised, but his 92% passing accuracy demonstrates how the midfielder kept things straightforward and the Red Devils’ momentum going.

In addition, the former FC Utrecht midfielder outperformed his Scottish partner against a £200 million midfield in Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo, winning 71% of the ground duels he participated in.

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Amrabat had trouble in the months before the victory over Chelsea, but on the night when it mattered most, the 27-year-old rose to the occasion and gave a strong performance.

Amrabat could be key to solving big problem

The Moroccan gave a performance in the middle of the park, but the Red Devils remained receptive and gave the visitors numerous opportunities, especially in the first half.

During his brief appearance in the United first squad, Mainoo has looked excellent. However, pairing the 18-year-old alongside Amrabat may be the key to figuring out how to get the most out of the group and give the much-needed defensive solidity.

Although it would be extremely cruel to bench McTominay following his outstanding display against the Blues, Mainoo and Amrabat ought to start together moving ahead if the midfielder is unable to maintain his goal-scoring ways.

Ten Hag is all about control, so if that combination did get going against Bournemouth, the Dutchman would have all he could possibly want.

Midfielder Sofyan Amrabat had a more quality performance against Chelsea.

Man Utd fans were worried when coach Erik ten Hag did not use Kobbie Mainoo, instead Sofyan Amrabat paired with Scott McTominay in the midfield.

This is a risky but extremely accurate decision by the Dutch military leader.

Accordingly, the Fiorentina player had the best performance ever in a Man Utd shirt. He almost strangled Chelsea’s midfield.

During the minutes on the field, Amrabat had 61 touches of the ball, 92% passing accuracy (45/49 successful passes), 11 ball recoveries, won 5/7 duels, 3/3 Accurate tackles, 2/2 successful dribbles and 1 pass to create a chance.

Amrabat’s 11 ball recoveries were the most in the match. Along with McTominay, Amrabat is truly the hero of Man Utd in this match. 

The Moroccan midfielder is the reason why Chelsea’s duo with a transfer value of more than £200 million, Enzo Fernandez and Moises

There was criticism when Amrabat played unsatisfactorily. However, this could be the turning point for this midfielder to become a key player for Man Utd.

Thanks to Amrabat managing so well at the back, McTominay freely entered the penalty area and scored a double. 

Coach Erik ten Hag also breathed a sigh of relief when the person he put his trust in had an excellent performance.