I would love to play at Old Trafford’ – Man united set to open Midfielder talks for £21M Outstanding transfer still possible

I would love to play at Old Trafford’ – Man united set to open Midfielder talks for £21M Outstanding transfer still possible

Sofyan Amrabat has indicated that he could yet stay at Manchester United this summer.

The Moroccan midfielder has endured a difficult season-long loan spell at Old Trafford from Serie A side Fiorentina, starting only 10 matches in the Premier League and limited to a lot of substitute cameos under Erik ten Hag.

However, Amrabat’s influence grew as he showed signs of improvement during the final stages of the season, starting the last three Premier League matches and also Saturday’s surprise 2-1 victory over champions Manchester City in a memorable FA Cup final triumph at Wembley that guaranteed Europa League qualification for next term.

The 27-year-old has spent time this season deployed as an emergency left-back during United’s well-documented injury crisis that has seen them without England starter Luke Shaw for large portions of the season.

Amrabat’s previous struggles to convince during a season that resulted in an eighth-place Premier League finish – their worst league position for 34 years – had led many to believe that there was very little chance of United exercising their €25million (£21m) option to sign him on a permanent basis this summer, having already spent €10m (£8m) on the initial loan deal.

However, his recent resurgence appears to have changed the mind of many fans, while Amrabat – otherwise under contract with back-to-back Europa Conference League finalists Fiorentina until next summer – himself has now admitted that he could still have a future at Old Trafford.

“Do I already know what I’m going to do next year? No. We are going to talk,” he told Dutch outlet Ziggo Sport.

“Staying is certainly an option. Look, I think it has been a very difficult season. For Manchester United it needs to be much better, and also for me personally.”

Amrabat’s position could yet depend on how United’s managerial situation plays out in the days and weeks ahead.

United have confirmed their first summer deal with the permanent sale of Spanish defender Alvaro Fernandez, who has joined Benfica for £5.1m after the Portuguese giants activated their option to turn his productive half-season loan arrangement at the Estadio da Luz into a full-time transfer.