Sofyan Amrabat reveals Paul Scholes, Roy Keane and David Beckham were among his Man United idols… with the loanee ‘proud’ to become the club’s first Moroccan player
- Sofyan Amrabat completed a deadline day loan move to Manchester United
- Amrabat spoke of his admiration for Man United stars while growing up
- Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast It’s All Kicking Off!
Sofyan Amrabat has revealed Paul Scholes, Roy Keane and David Beckham were among the Man United stars he admired while growing up, after securing a loan move to the Premier League giants.
The Red Devils paid Fiorentina £8million to lure the Moroccan international on a season-long loan last week.
Man United signed Amrabat on deadline day in a move that could be made permanent next summer for £21m.
In his first interview at the club, Amrabat revealed he had been inspired by a trio of Man United midfield stars.
‘I think United had so many fantastic players and young midfielders,’ Amrabat told the Man United club website.
Sofyan Amrabat has revealed his pride at becoming Man United’s first Moroccan player
Amrabat said Roy Keane and Paul Scholes were among the Man United midfielders he admired
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‘So, in general, I look more to the midfielders, like Paul Scholes, Roy Keane, David Beckham.
‘But there were so many big players. Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand, Louis Saha, Wayne Rooney, [Cristiano] Ronaldo. I can go on for one hour to say names.’
Amrabat revealed his brother Nordin had told him to move to the Premier League, which he labelled as the ‘strongest league in the world’.
Nordin Amrabat had played in the Premier League for Watford between 2016 and 2018.
Man United had been in tough negotiations with the Fiorentina all summer to sign Amrabat, who had starred in Morocco’s run to the World Cup semi-finals in Qatar.
Fiorentina had been pushing for United to sign the 27-year-old on a permanent deal before eventually settling for a loan.
Amrabat’s agent has claimed the midfielder has ‘realised his dream’ by signing for Man United, adding that he had turned down offers from other clubs.
The midfielder starred for Morocco during their stunning run to the World Cup semi-finals
Amrabat is expected to provide much needed depth to manager Erik ten Hag’s midfield
The 27-year-old revealed his pride at becoming Man United’s first Moroccan player, joking that the club will have gained ‘an extra million’ fans with his arrival.
‘I’m very proud,’ Amrabat said. ‘I think already a lot of Moroccans have followed already United, but now [there will be] a lot of extra million fans from Morocco.
‘And they are so, so proud.
‘I hope that I can make the fans for United and also them very, very happy and proud.’
IT’S ALL KICKING OFF!
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