Man Utd ‘snub Sofyan Amrabat’ as Sir Jim Ratcliffe identifies surprise replacement who wants old Trafford move in the summer

Man Utd ‘snub Sofyan Amrabat’ as Sir Jim Ratcliffe identifies surprise replacement who wants old Trafford move in the summer

Sofyan Amrabat has slipped down the Manchester United pecking order under Erik ten Hag.

Manchester United will reportedly pass up on the opportunity to sign Sofyan Amrabat permanently this summer once his disappointing loan spell comes to an end.

Red Devils co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is believed to be eyeing up Luton Town midfielder Ross Barkley as a bargain replacement for the Moroccan.

Erik ten Hag pushed hard to sign Amrabat last summer in a deal which saw United shell out a whopping £8.5million just to take him on loan from Fiorentina. It would reportedly require another £21.4m to make the switch permanent.

Ross Barkley (Getty images)

According to The Sun, United have no intention of shelling out the extra cash and Amrabat will be sent back to Serie A in a few months’ time.

The 27-year-old has not started a club game since mid-December, having been frozen out of the side by Kobbie Mainoo.

Casemiro is also believed to be on the chopping block if a buyer is willing to take on the Brazilian’s eye-watering salary.

Shifting him off the wage bill would free up funds for Sir Jim to go shopping in his first transfer window at the helm.

It may not take much to prise Barkley away from Kenilworth Road, however. Luton boss Rob Edwards has remained tight-lipped about the length and nature of the midfielder’s contract, but he would be expected to move on if the Hatters are relegated.

Sir Jim and INEOS have history with Barkley after taking him to their French club OGC Nice last season.

The former England international netted four times in 27 Ligue 1 appearances before returning to the Premier League.