United confirmed the deal for the 27-year-old late on transfer deadline day, on an initial loan from Fiorentina costing £8.6million with the option for a permanent move worth £17m plus £4.5m in add-ons.
Erik ten Hag had long identified Amrabat – who he managed between 2015 and 2017 at Dutch club Utrecht – as a priority midfield target, to add support and backup to Casemiro. The player was always keen on the move.
United sold Fred to Fenerbahce earlier in the summer, with Amrabat now joining Casemiro, Scott McTominay – who is expected to stay at the club amid interest from Fulham – and fellow summer signing Mason Mount in Ten Hag’s revamped midfield at Old Trafford.
With the deal having been completed after midday on deadline day, Amrabat will not be available for United’s weekend Premier League clash at Arsenal.
“It is a huge honour to become a Manchester United player,” he told the club website. “I’ve had to be patient for this moment but I’m someone who always listens to my heart and now I am representing the club of my dreams.
“I am a passionate player; I want to bring that energy to the squad, and I will put everything into every action I take for the team. I know exactly how Erik ten Hag likes to work and what he needs from his players.
“His coaching and guidance developed me so much as a player earlier in my career I know that he will help to bring out the best of my abilities so that I can help the group to be successful this season.”
He joins goalkeeper Altay Bayindir and left-back Sergio Reguilon as deadline day arrivals at United, with the former a £4.5m arrival from Fenerbahce and the latter loaned from Spurs amid injuries to Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia.
