Sofyan Amrabat “will play anywhere” for Manchester United, even in goal, after making his first start in an unfamiliar left-back role against Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup.
With United boss Erik ten Hag making changes to his side, Amrabat, who joined from Fiorentina on an initial loan deal at the end of the summer window, seized his opportunity to shine on his Old Trafford debut.
The Morocco midfielder was delighted to have played a part in a 3-0 win – courtesy of goals from Alejandro Garnacho, Casemiro and Anthony Martial – but admitted his fitness still needs some work.
He said: “Since I was a child, I worked for this. I worked very hard my whole career, my whole life for this. To play here is amazing.
“I told the manager I will play wherever he needs me, where the team needs me, even if it’s as a goalkeeper.
“I am not at my best at the moment, I have not had a perfect pre-season and a little injury. I need games, if you play games, you get stronger and better. The pressure is high, we want to win, and we’ll push very hard to win and give the fans much more.”
Ten Hag was impressed with Amrabat’s display, and his team’s overall performance.
“He’s a player who gives the team what they need and makes a contribution,” he said of the 27-year-old.
“He has quality as well as energy and the dynamic he brings. Sofyan is a player – and that is one of the reasons we signed him – where the team needs him, he will play and he can play in more positions.
“I think we played quite well and dominated the game, had some good attacks, were controlled in possession and dominated the chances.”
