Amrabat received counsel from the Man United manager years ago that has stuck with him to this day.

When they were working together in the Netherlands, Erik ten Hag provided Sofyan Amrabat some advice regarding mindset and attitude. This advice has stayed with him all throughout his professional life.

The new Manchester United hire played for FC Utrecht under Ten Hag from 2015 to 2017, and the two were looking forward to reuniting this summer. The midfielder joined on loan from Fiorentina on the final day of the transfer window, which initially cost United €10 million.

A €20 million option-to-buy clause plus €5 million in add-ons can be triggered by United to make his switch permanent. In advance of the potential that he could make his United debut against Brighton in ten days, Amrabat sat down for his first interview.

He made a reference to a line Ten Hag had used to motivate him at FC Utrecht. The Moroccan responded, “To be honest, not much,” when asked by the club media how he prefers to unwind. Because Erik ten Hag once said, “Football is a way of life,” back when I played for FC Utrecht.

Amrabat reveals why he chose to work with Ten Hag once more.

“And I believe that to be the case because you have so many games, which means that even when you’re not playing football, you’re still busy with it because you need to rest, eat well, etc. A way of life is playing football.

To assist Casemiro at the base of the midfield, Amrabat has been added. The 27-year-old emphasized how, whether at Old Trafford or Carrington, he is a friendly figure off the field but laser-focused moment he crosses the white line.

Outside of the pitch, I am laid back and I enjoy laughing, he said. I am a winner within the pitch, though, and I strive to improve every day. When I go to practice, my goal is to grow as a player and learn new things.