From Street Football to Theatre of Dreams: Amrabat's Unlikely Path to Man Utd

Sofyan Amrabat for Manchester United // Getty Images

The story of Sofyan Amrabat's ascent to football prominence is one marked by perseverance, tactical evolution, and an unyielding passion for the game. His journey, from the streets of Huizen in the Netherlands to the luminous stage of the FIFA World Cup and now to the prestigious turf of Old Trafford, is a testament to his talent and tenacity.

The Unassuming Discovery

Back in early 2019, Croatian football manager Ivan Juric found himself in a professional hiatus. During this period, he chose to visit his old friend and fellow Croatian, Ivan Leko, then at the helm of Club Brugge. Their bond, forged during their time together at Hajduk Split, brought Juric to Belgium for what was meant to be a brief observational sojourn. Little did he know, it would lead to a pivotal discovery.

Among the players, one stood out - Sofyan Amrabat. His dedication and zeal on the pitch caught Juric's eye, leaving a lasting impression. “I found him a very strong player, just really, really good,” Juric reminisces. “I had seen him before in some Champions League games, but I learned he didn’t always play at Brugge; sometimes he was in the first XI, but some other games he wasn’t.”

The Strategic Acquisition for Hellas Verona

When fortune guided Juric to the managerial position at Serie A’s Hellas Verona, he recalled the vigorous midfielder he'd encountered in Belgium. Despite the fiscal constraints at Verona, Juric was determined to have Amrabat onboard. The club struck a loan deal, sidestepping a hefty transfer fee, a move that Juric credits to Amrabat’s fluctuating first-team status at Brugge.

Amrabat's arrival at Verona heralded a wave of enthusiasm. “He arrived with a lot of enthusiasm,” Juric shares. “I played him immediately after two days [in a match against Bologna] and from the first moment he started to play very well. He showed a strong character, worked hard, and he was really motivated."

The midfielder’s influence was immediate and profound. Not only did he bring physical prowess to Verona's gameplay, but Juric also unearthed a tactician within the robust player. He elaborates, “But after maybe two months I noticed that he's very clever as well, like he really understands the game... But then I discovered a very intelligent player in him, too.”

A Dutch Education

Sofyan's football education began far from the glamour of professional stadiums. He honed his skills on the streets of Huizen, alongside his brothers, one of whom, Nordin, would journey through the ranks of renowned clubs like Ajax, PSV Eindhoven, and Watford.

Amrabat's professional path started at the academy of Utrecht. His breakthrough, however, required a stint of patience and self-reflection. The arrival of manager Erik ten Hag marked a turning point, though the initial transition was challenging. “When Erik ten Hag arrived, I endured a dramatic pre-season," Amrabat admitted. "Then you have little to say, especially as the team started to play well. Only at the end of that season, just before the first playoff game for European football against PEC Zwolle, he called me over. ‘Can you play wing-back?’ he asked."

This flexibility and eagerness would be mirrored years later at Manchester United, under the very same coach, as Amrabat adapted to a wing-back role due to squad injuries.

Ten Hag's influence on Amrabat was profound, pushing the young player to a professional brink that would define his career. “After every game, he would take me through a video and explain everything to me," Amrabat recounts. "I was 18 or 19 years old, so sometimes I was thinking, ‘Oof, again?’. But now, when I look back, I know it was so important for my career. I learned such a lot from him.”

The Feyenoord chapter was brief, with Champions League appearances overshadowed by a lack of domestic playtime, prompting his move to Club Brugge. His tenure there, marked by positional shifts, didn't fully harness his potential until Juric’s pivotal week-long visit. “I was like without work and I was very lucky that I went to visit my friend Leko at Brugge and saw Sofi live in training,” Juric reflects.

Verona's Perfect Fit

Amrabat’s Verona spell was nothing short of revelatory. Anchoring the midfield, he commanded the pitch, fitting seamlessly into the club's 3-4-3 formation and earning accolades along the way. “He played a lot of really good games; he was dominating all year... It was like a perfect situation,” Juric recalls fondly. “Everybody loved him. He's a really good guy.”

His commitment never wavered, even with an impending move to Fiorentina. After triggering a buy-option clause, Verona profited significantly from his subsequent sale, a testament to his enhanced value. “It was very good business for Verona,” Juric states. “Because we paid 3.5million euros and sold him for 20m euros.”

Sofyan Amrabat for Morocco in the World Cup

Global Recognition and a Dream Move

Amrabat continued to soar at Fiorentina, eventually catching the world’s eye during the 2022 FIFA World Cup. His stellar performances for Morocco, leading them to an unprecedented semi-final berth, captured global attention. This culminated in a memorable encounter with French President Emmanuel Macron, who personally lauded Amrabat's World Cup exploits.

Post-tournament, the buzz was real. Top clubs like Barcelona, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Tottenham Hotspur were all linked with him, but destiny steered him to Manchester United, reuniting him with Erik ten Hag.

Juric, now leading Torino, remains a steadfast believer in Amrabat’s prowess. He stresses the importance of confidence in harnessing Amrabat's full potential: “He does well when he feels the confidence," Juric asserts. "Be open to him and then he will give you everything he has. We created a really good relationship. Even today we speak with each other. We were texting during the World Cup, but we were also in contact after the earthquake in Morocco.”

For Juric, Amrabat’s optimal deployment is clear. “If they put him in the middle, then he can play at a very high level," he advises. "He doesn't need to be scared of anybody who plays in that position. As a centre midfielder, he's one of the best in Europe, just like he played with Morocco at the World Cup. I think the way he played there epitomises the footballer he is.”

Sofyan Amrabat’s journey epitomizes the spirit of football — resilience, growth, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. At Manchester United, under the familiar guidance of Ten Hag, the stage is set for this World Cup star to etch his name deeper into football’s annals.