Liverpool were closely linked with the pivot as were several Italian clubs. It was said Amrabat only had eyes for United, though, despite Fiorentinas perceived eagerness to drum up as much hype as possible amid an inevitable exit.
Ive had to be patient for this moment but Im someone who always listens to my heart and now I am representing the club of my dreams, the player said upon his arrival.
United sanctioned a loan amid fears of breaking Financial Fair Play rules after a 176m spend this summer. Fiorentina were insistent on an option-to-buy clause that in the end worked out at 20m plus 5m in add-ons. Thats in addition to the 10m received for the initial loan.
So the midfield maestro has not arrived free of charge but Erik ten Hag has his man once more. The Dutchman worked with Amrabat at FC Utrecht between 2015 and 2017 and was reminded of his quality at the World Cup.
The Moroccan was the engine that drove his country to the semi-finals and Ten Hag made an approach on January deadline day amid Christian Eriksens long-term injury. Fiorentina said no and Marcel Sabitzer was instead acquired from Bayern Munich on loan.
Amrabat further cemented his status as an elite player in the Europa Conference Final loss to West Ham, a night where two stars played their final games for their clubs. Declan Rice was then captured by Arsenal for a fee over 100m while Amrabat was left out of Fiorentinas squads ahead of his exit.
Both will now play in the Champions League next season. Ahead of that final in Prague, Amrabat was asked about his thoughts on a switch to the Premier League. The 27-year-old made no secret of his appreciation for English football, albeit in a diplomatic manner.
“Of course, the Premier League is a fantastic league, one of the strongest in the world, he told the Times. It would be nice to play there one day, but its not that I want only to go to England, because Spain is nice, Serie A is a nice league.
In order to play as effectively as Armabat does in his position, a player needs confidence and assurance. It seems Uniteds newest signing has both judging by what he said next.
“Football has changed a lot, its more physical, you have more to be an athlete, the tempo and intensity is higher. Of course, in England the intensity is very high, so I think it could suit me, he said.
That will now be put to the test, although he will have to wait for his debut. Amrabat signed too late to be registered for the visit to Arsenal on Sunday so will have to wait until after the international break to get his first minutes.
A home tie to Brighton in a fortnight could be the day he makes his bow as United look to avenge last years opening-day defeat. That afternoon, Moises Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister stormed the centre of the park and have since earned big money moves, Caicedo for a British record of 115m.
That loss and the following defeat to Brentford prompted Ten Hag to move for Casemiro, who played excellently in his maiden year. The Brazilian needs support though, United suffering when he is not in form or out of action.
The beginning of this season has highlighted that and Amrabat arrives as his support act. If played against Brighton, Amrabat will be charged with taking control of the midfield as Caicedo and Mac Allister did last term.
