In his inaugural interview as a new member of Manchester United, Sofyan Amrabat engaged with the media team and touched upon various topics, one of which notably captured the attention of fans – his admiration for past Manchester United legends.
Amrabat expressed his reverence for several iconic figures from the club’s history, with a particular focus on midfield maestros like Paul Scholes, Roy Keane, and David Beckham. He acknowledged the rich legacy of great players associated with Manchester United, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand, Louis Saha, and Wayne Rooney.
His emphasis on midfield generals like Roy Keane and Paul Scholes resonated strongly with fans, as they recalled the pivotal roles these legends played in the club’s history. Naturally, Cristiano Ronaldo found his place on Amrabat’s list, given the Portuguese star’s indelible impact during his time at Old Trafford.
Sofyan Amrabat only wanted to play for Manchester United ❤️ pic.twitter.com/h27SVyxzlc
— GOAL (@goal) September 6, 2023
Louis Saha’s inclusion, however, surprised some, shedding light on the often-underappreciated contributions of the former forward. Saha made 142 appearances for Manchester United, registering 42 goals and 17 assists while securing two Premier League titles and a UEFA Champions League triumph.
Amidst Manchester United’s challenging start to the season, with two losses in their first four games, fans hold hope that Amrabat can channel the performances of the midfield greats he admires.
However, they will have to wait to witness the Moroccan midfielder in action, as a minor back injury was detected during his medical assessment. While not deemed severe, Manchester United proceeded with the signing, yet the exact date of his return to the pitch remains undisclosed by the club.
Sofyan Amrabat receives the Number 4 jersey that Raphaël Varane wanted back in 2021
With the formalities now concluded, Manchester United has officially announced that Sofyan Amrabat will don the No. 4 shirt for the club.
This number was most recently worn by Phil Jones, the English defender who departed the club this summer upon the expiration of his contract. Jones held this number for an impressive 12-year tenure, starting with his transfer from Blackburn Rovers in the summer of 2011.
The No. 4 shirt is historically associated with both center-backs and midfielders. Owen Hargreaves, for instance, showcased his versatility as a midfielder during his four-season tenure, commencing with the 2007/08 campaign when Manchester United clinched the Premier League and Champions League titles.
Juan Sebastian Veron, upon his arrival from Lazio in 2001, also claimed No. 4 in midfield, and it remained unoccupied for one season after his departure in 2003, only to be taken up by his compatriot Gabriel Heinze in the 2004/05 season.
Sofyan Amrabat is a Red 🔴
He will wear the number 4 shirt ❤️ pic.twitter.com/GZRscMuNlX
— UtdBible (@TheUtdBible) September 5, 2023
In an intriguing twist involving this number, it harkens back to 2021 when center-back Raphael Varane joined Manchester United from Real Madrid. Varane, a renowned defensive talent, had worn the No. 4 jersey while representing France, and he donned the No. 5 at Real Madrid. In Madrid, the No. 4 was occupied by club captain Sergio Ramos, leaving Varane with an alternate choice.
Notably, Varane expressed his preference for the No. 4 upon joining Manchester United, but an unexpected hurdle emerged in the form of Phil Jones, who, despite not featuring for the club in nearly 19 months, declined to relinquish the number.
In a fortunate turn of events for Sofyan Amrabat, the departure of Phil Jones from the club has paved the way for him to inherit the No. 4 jersey without any contention from current members of the squad.