Manchester United risk being caught out as Liverpool FC eye Chelsea transfer trick in Sofyan Amrabat deal

It had all been going so well. Manchester United's transfer business this summer had seen them wrap up deals for their three key positional targets with Mason Mount, Andre Onana and Rasmus Hojlund arriving at Old Trafford.

And, with several fringe players seemingly set to depart, vital funds were expected to offer Erik ten Hag the chance to strengthen further. But, although Anthony Elanga and Fred have moved on, exits for Harry Maguire and Dean Henderson now seem unlikely.

It means what promised to be a healthy windfall has been cut dramatically and to make matters worse United's Premier League rivals Liverpool are looking to steal a march. The Merseysiders have reportedly entered the fray for long-time United target Sofyan Amrabat.

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The midfielder seems destined to leave Italian side Fiorentina and Old Trafford has long been touted as a potential destination given the Morocco international worked with Ten Hag during their time together at Utrecht. But with the Reds struggling to raise the funds for the deal amid departures drying up, Jurgen Klopp's side seem poised to make their move.

Liverpool's need is greater than United's. They don't have a Casemiro and their lack of a defensive midfielder was evident in their Premier League opener with Chelsea. The Blues were in the same boat over the weekend but have subsequently broken the British transfer record to sign Moises Caicedo from Brighton, nipping in under Liverpool's nose to secure the deal. And Mauricio Pochettino's men are