Man United’s Midfield Dilemma: Amrabat Start Questioned as Mainoo Impresses

Is Sofyan Amrabat no longer the darling of Manchester United fans? Paul Merson has a hard time understanding the starting of the Moroccan international for the match against Galatasaray (3-3) on Wednesday. According to him, Erik ten Hag should have started English midfielder Kobbie Mainoo. The latter was a substitute against Galatasaray, with the Atlas Lion coming on as a substitute. In the eyes of the former Arsenal player, this change is a mistake that the coach of the Mancunians must correct against the Magpies this weekend.

"They have to trust Kobbie Mainoo to play at the base of midfield. He did an excellent job against Everton last weekend and I don’t know why they chose Sofyan Amrabat against Galatasaray," Merson reacted to Sportskeeda. He will add: "It must have something to do with not throwing a young player into the deep end in such a hostile environment as the RAMS Park." However, starting Mainoo for the match at Old Trafford this weekend is a challenge for the English international, but Merson is convinced that Manchester United would be better off.

Amrabat joined Manchester United on loan from ACF Fiorentina until June 2024 for a fee of 10 million euros with a purchase option of 21.5 million pounds. After a good start, the 27-year-old player is struggling to establish himself at Old Trafford. The Moroccan international "has still not had a positive impact on Erik ten Hag’s team" because he "is sometimes relegated to the left-back position," commented The Sun, adding that he has also struggled to adapt to the pace and intensity of the Premier League.

After the draw against Galatasaray, Manchester United finds itself in a bad position before the last matchday of the group stage. To reach the round of 16, the men of Hag will have to beat an almost invincible Bayern in the Champions League, but who will no longer have anything to play for, while hoping for a draw between the Danes and the Turks.