Sofyan Amrabat pictured at Carrington for first time as Man United confirm shirt number

Sofyan Amrabat pictured at Carrington for first time as Man United confirm shirt number

The 27-year-old midfielder joined Altay Bayindir, Sergio Reguilon and Jonny Evans as deadline-day arrivals, and Manchester United have now confirmed his shirt number.

United completed a season-long loan worth £8.5million with an option to buy Amrabat next summer for around £17m.

Supporters had clamoured for his arrival after a turbulent start to the season intensified by unbalance in Erik ten Hag’s midfield.

The Dutchman also splashed £60m to sign Mason Mount from Chelsea earlier in the window, but his midfield trio with Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes struggled to coexist against Wolves and Tottenham Hotspur.

Midfield struggles continued in Mount’s absence against Nottingham Forest and Arsenal. But Ten Hag will hope Amrabat is the answer he has craved to help his side improve after the international break.

On Tuesday, United released the first images of Amrabat in the club’s colours since his arrival last Friday.

And the Red Devils confirmed he would inherit the No 4 shirt from Phil Jones at Old Trafford after the long-serving defender departed earlier in the summer

Owen Hargreaves, Nemanja Vidic and Steve Bruce are among the United icons who have worn the No 4 shirt down the years.

And Amrabat will hope to earn a permanent switch to M16 and walk amongst the greats as he gears up for his United debut after the international break.

He could potentially make his bow against Brighton and Hove Albion at Old Trafford next Saturday, just days before a Champions League trip to Bayern Munich.

Casemiro has desperately needed defensive support in the opening games of the campaign, with Christian Eriksen having to operate in a double pivot against Nottingham Forest and Arsenal.

Amrabat has flaunted his hard-hitting defensive style and ability to evade pressure and transition the ball at Fiorentina and with Morocco during the 2022 World Cup.