Man Utd dealt another injury blow as new signing withdraws from international duty

Manchester United’s deadline day signing Sofyan Amrabat has withdrawn from Morocco’s squad for their September internationals due to injury.

The 27-year-old had been targeted by United all summer and finally sealed his loan switch to Old Trafford last week. It is unclear when he will make his debut for the club, as he undergoes rehab at Carrington following his withdrawal from international duty.

Amrabat has earned 49 caps for his country but will have to wait to reach a half century of appearances until either the October or November internationals if his injury proves a minor one.

The Athletic reported earlier this week United had detected a back injury during Amrabat’s medical ahead of his Old Trafford move but it is only believed to be minor.

He had yet to feature for parent club Fiorentina as he was an unused substitute on the opening weekend before being left out of the squad for the following three games.

United face Brighton and Hove Albion after the international break before starting their Champions League campaign away at Bayern Munich four days later.

Manager Erik ten Hag has faced a number of injury problems early in the 2023-24 season, with Mason Mount, Raphael Varane, Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, Tom Heaton, Amad and Kobbie Mainoo all absent for last weekend’s defeat to Arsenal.

A United statement confirmed: “New Manchester United midfielder Sofyan Amrabat will not take part in Morocco’s September internationals, after being withdrawn from the Atlas Lions’ squad due to injury.

“Head coach Walid Regragui has called up Yahya Jabrane to replace our no.4, who will return to work at Carrington, following his arrival from Fiorentina in a season-long loan deal on deadline day. Amrabat was unveiled as a Red earlier this week, reuniting with Erik ten Hag who coached him at Utrecht between 2015 and 2017.

“Morocco are due to face Liberia in their final Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Saturday, although the 2022 World Cup semi-finalists have already confirmed their place in January’s tournament.

“A draw in Agadir will be enough to claim top spot in Group K from South Africa, who have also booked their spot in the finals. Morocco are then due to play fellow African side Burkina Faso in a friendly in the French city of Lens next Tuesday.

“Amrabat was due to win his 50th cap this month, after becoming a stalwart in the African team’s engine room. The former Feyenoord and Club Brugge man, who made his international debut in 2017, was a vital presence in midfield as the North Africans became the first side from their continent to reach the last four of a World Cup during the tournament in Qatar.”