Erik ten Hag reveals the two positions Sofyan Amrabat will play at Manchester United

Erik ten Hag says Sofyan Amrabat will play in one of two midfield positions following his move to Manchester United.

The Morocco international agreed a multi-year loan deal at Old Trafford on Friday but the move has yet to be approved.

The midfielder has been heavily linked with a move to the club all summer and his absence was clearly felt in United’s first four games, in which they lost twice.

Ten Hag confirmed after losing to Arsenal that they want a defensive midfielder from the start.

This suggests that Amrabat was hired as a competitor to Casemiro.

However, the Dutchman says Amrabat is capable of continuing up front and playing alongside the Brazilian in midfield. “One of my dreams since the start of the season was to add six more players to the squad, one defensive midfielder, because during the season you need depth,” said Ten Hag. “In this role we only had Casemiro, who can play it very well.

With the others we have to make compromises, but with Sofryan Amrabat we have a different one. “He can also play next to Casemiro because he can also play a little higher.”It’s very nice to have him and I think he fits in very well in Premier League and Champions League football.

I think the requirements are high. “He’s very dynamic, he’s very good in a duel. That’s why we’re delighted to have him at United and I believe he’ll contribute to the high aspirations we’ve set for ourselves.

Amrabat was unable to play against Arsenal as he was not registered in time.

The Moroccan has therefore missed four matches for United this season, but Ten Hag says he’s not ‘frustrated’ at how long the deal took.

‘No, sometimes you have to wait for the right timing,’ said Ten Hag.