Amrabat forced out of Man United but thriving in World Cup last 16
Sofyan Amrabat says Erik ten Hag wanted to keep him at Manchester United, but he was forced out when the club declined a £21million permanent deal. Two years after his Old Trafford loan, Amrabat is in Morocco's World Cup last 16, preparing to face Canada in Houston after a penalty win over the Netherlands.
Key Takeaways
- Amrabat claims Ten Hag wanted him to stay, but United did not trigger his £21million buy option and later paid Paris Saint-Germain £51million for Manuel Ugarte.
- When asked who blocked his return, Amrabat pointed reporters to United director of football Jason Wilcox.
- Morocco reached the last 16 after drawing with Brazil and beating the Netherlands on penalties, with Amrabat playing 90 minutes in a 4-2 group win over Haiti.
- During the physical last-16 tie with co-hosts Canada, Morocco suffered an Ismael Saibari injury blow, testing squad depth as Amrabat's side pushed for a quarter-final spot.
- Amrabat's arc fits a broader pattern of athletic longevity after a high-profile exit — a theme we track in our Longevity & Biohacking coverage.
Why did Amrabat leave Manchester United?
Sofyan Amrabat joined Manchester United on loan from Fiorentina and made 30 appearances across all competitions, including the FA Cup final. Erik ten Hag had worked with him at Utrecht and, according to Amrabat, wanted to extend his stay beyond that season-long deal.
United chose not to convert the loan for a fee reported at £21million — a sum the Manchester Evening News described as affordable. Instead, the club spent £51million on Manuel Ugarte from PSG.
Amrabat's explanation stops short of naming a single decision-maker. Pressed on his farewell, he said: "You'll have to ask Mr Wilcox." The Mirror reported a similar account, with Amrabat insisting Ten Hag wanted him back while implying United's technical director overruled the manager.
How is Amrabat performing at World Cup 2026?
Two years after leaving Old Trafford, Amrabat has helped Morocco reach the knockout rounds. The Atlas Lions drew with Brazil in the group stage, beat Haiti 4-2 — where Amrabat played the full 90 minutes — and eliminated the Netherlands on penalties to set up a last-16 meeting with Canada in Houston.
Amrabat has featured in only one of Morocco's first four tournament matches, but his presence in the squad underscores that a player United let go can still matter on the biggest stage. A win over Canada would likely mean a quarter-final against France.
What happened in Morocco's last-16 clash with Canada?
As Morocco faced co-hosts Canada in Houston, ESPN's live coverage flagged an early setback: the Atlas Lions suffered an Ismael Saibari injury blow in a physical game. That kind of in-game attrition can reshape knockout football, forcing coaches to lean on squad players like Amrabat.
Amrabat himself referenced Ten Hag ahead of a reunion context, saying: "He wanted to keep me this summer so I wish him the best but not for Thursday. I hope they lose." Whether spoken in a club or international window, the quote captures lingering frustration — and a career that, by his own World Cup run, still has momentum.
What does Amrabat's story say about career longevity?
The Manchester Evening News framed Amrabat's summer as proof that life after Old Trafford is possible. For players navigating exits, injuries, and second acts, the lesson is less about one transfer decision and more about staying relevant when a dream move ends.
Amrabat may still look back on United with regret. Yet reaching a World Cup last 16 — while Morocco navigates fresh injury concerns — is a credible answer to anyone who wrote him off after M16.