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Manchester City

Manchester United

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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Amrabat joined on loan from Fiorentina</li><li>United chose not to make it a permanent transfer</li><li>Talked about his relationship with Ten Hag</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

'He wanted to keep me' - Sofyan Amrabat reveals why he left Man Utd despite having 'special relationship' with Erik ten Hag

Super Lig

Kayserispor

Fenerbahce

Premier League

Ipswich

<p>The Moroccan midfielder was loaned to United from Fiorentina last September. The deal, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/sofyan-amrabat-fiorentina-future-man-utd-return/blt980c5e183cc80fd9#cs1192d687f1f4cd7b" target="_blank">worth £8.5 million ($10.9 million),</a> included an option for United to secure Amrabat’s services permanently for €20 million (£17/$21.5m), plus an<a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/sofyan-amrabat-update-man-utd-future/bltea1fe299177be61a" target="_blank"> additional €5 million (£4.23m/$5.37m) in add-ons.</a></p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Although Ten Hag was keen to keep Amrabat in his squad permanently, the Manchester United hierarchy opted for a different path. Instead of activating the option to buy Amrabat, the club chose to pursue Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain for £51 million. </p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>In an interview with <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-13993265/Man-United-Sofyan-Amrabat-Fred-Europa-League-Jose-Mourinho-Fenerbahce-Erik-ten-Hag.html" target="_blank"><em>Daily Mail</em></a><em>, </em>Amrabat revealed that despite Ten Hag's desire to hold on to him, the club’s new technical director, Jason Wilcox, chose to opt for a different transfer strategy which led to his departure from Old Trafford.</p><p>"I have a special relationship with Ten Hag since I was a 20-year-old at Utrecht," he said <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/man-utd-player-ratings-vs-fenerbahce-andre-onana-manuel-ugarte/blt8961acb4be824723" target="_blank">before facing the Red Devils in the Europa League</a>. "He wanted to keep me this summer so I wish him the best but not for Thursday. I hope they lose."</p><p>When asked if he had more to share about his departure from Manchester United, Amrabat gave a cryptic response. “The only thing that I want to say is that you have to ask Mr. Wilcox,” he remarked.</p><p></p>

WHAT AMRABAT SAID

<p>Amrabat’s exit, however, wasn’t without interest from other clubs. The midfielder revealed that four Premier League clubs were keen on acquiring his services before he eventually chose to join Fenerbahce. He has made a fine start to his life in Istanbul establishing himself as a key figure in Jose Mourinho's side. He played the full 90 minutes against his former side on Thursday and put in an impressive performance during the 1-1 draw. </p>

WHAT NEXT FOR AMRABAT & UNITED?

'He wanted to keep me' - Sofyan Amrabat reveals why he left Man Utd despite having 'special relationship' with Erik ten Hag | Goal.com

Sofyan Amrabat revealed why he had to leave Manchester United despite having a &quot;special relationship&quot; with Erik ten Hag.

&apos;He wanted to keep me&apos; - Sofyan Amrabat reveals why he left Man Utd despite having &apos;special relationship&apos; with Erik ten Hag