Sofyan Amrabat was not in his most familiar role on his full Manchester United debut (Picture: Getty Images)
Erik ten Hag says Sofyan Amrabat is the kind of player who will do any job a manager asks of him, as the Morocco international makes his first Manchester United start at left-back.
The summer signing from Fiorentina is best known for his skills as a defensive midfielder, which is where he is expected to feature most in the years to come for the Red Devils.
However, after making his Premier League debut off the bench against Burnley at the weekend, his first start for his new club came at left-back against Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.
This is chiefly because of United’s ongoing injury nightmare, with Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia still out injured and loan signing Sergio Reguilon not at full fitness due to illness.
With Ten Hag needing someone to fill in on the left of a back four, Amrabat was his man, knowing that the versatile, hard-working 27-year-old will do a job.
It is a bit ago he played full-back, I think, normally he is playing midfielder but he can do, he’s a player when a manager needs him he will play,’ Ten Hag told Sky Sports.
‘He will do the job. That’s what Sofyan is. It’s his first game, his debut. I’m really looking forward and he’s looking forward, he wants to play, he wants to give everything.’
Harry Maguire was also handed his first start of the season, with the England international at centre-back alongside Raphael Varane.
The former Leicester man has fallen down the pecking order under Ten Hag, but the Dutchman said he has nothing to prove to him.
‘He doesn’t have to prove, particularly to me, because I know he’s a very good centre-half,’ said Ten Hag of Maguire. ‘But of course at United you have to live certain standards, every day, you have to prove yourself every day, win every day and contribute to that win.’
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