Sofyan Amrabat injury: The Manchester United midfielder is retiring from the Morocco squad
The midfielder has been replaced by Yahya Gibran in Walid Regragui’s squad for Saturday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Liberia and a friendly against Burkina Faso on Tuesday, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation announced on Thursday evening.
Amrabat finally completed his long-awaited summer move from Fiorentina to Manchester United on transfer deadline day last week, agreeing an initial season-long loan deal worth £8.6m, which includes the option of a permanent move next year, the would cost a further £17.1m plus £4.2m in ancillary services.
However, the 27-year-old was unable to make a quick Premier League debut due to United’s dramatic late defeat to Arsenal before the first international break of the season.
The Athletic later reported that United had discovered a back injury during Amrabat’s medical in Pisa, although they were content to press ahead with the deal due to the triviality of the issue.
The player had yet to feature for his parent club Fiorentina in the early stages of the 2023/24 season as he pushed for a move to Old Trafford, and was unused in the 4-1 win at Genoa on Serie A’s opening weekend before joining his team The squad was completely removed from the squad due to the 2-2 draw against Lecce and the two Europa Conference League play-off games against Rapid Vienna.
United will hope Amrabat, one of the stars of Morocco’s surprise run to the World Cup semi-finals in Qatar last year, is not sidelined for too long as they look to bounce back from a difficult start to the season at home. They fly to Brighton on September 16th before starting their Champions League group stage away to FC Bayern Munich four days later.
Injury withdrawal: Manchester United’s Sofyan Amrabat has left the Moroccan squad
/ APThe Royal Moroccan Football Federation said in a statement: “Walid Regragui has invited Yahya Gibran, a player from Wydad Sports Club, to join the national team as it prepares for the two matches against Liberia in Agadir and Burkina Faso in Lens,” France .
“The coach of the national team, Mr. Walid Regragui, has called up player Yahya Jeeran as a replacement for the injured Sofiane Amrabat.”
United recently experienced a similar situation with summer signing Rasmus Hojlund, who made his Red Devils debut on the bench at Arsenal after missing his £72million transfer due to a minor back problem he suffered in pre-season Atalanta had to pause first.
https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/sofyan-amrabat-injury-man-utd-morocco-b1105732.html Sofyan Amrabat injury: The Manchester United midfielder is retiring from the Morocco squad
