Sofyan Amrabat injury could give forgotten Manchester United player his chance

Erik ten Hag may have been forced to revise his plans for Brighton after Manchester United confirmed a further injury blow.

The United boss had already shared that Mason Mount and Raphael Varane will be unavailable on Saturday but it was a further interview with the Dutchman that revealed Sofyan Amrabat is also sidelined. The midfielder, who signed on loan from Fiorentina on deadline day, withdrew from Morocco’s squad during the international break, in what was described as a precaution.

Amrabat was considered by many to be a solution to United’s early problems in midfield. The Reds have been relatively easy to exploit during their first four games, with Casemiro often being left isolated. The Morocco captain would help bring some added steel alongside Casemiro, as well as natural cover in the holding role.

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Most fans would conclude that both his and Mount’s absences would lead to Christian Eriksen keeping his place. However, Ten Hag still has an often-overlooked player in his ranks, who would be more than willing to do his share of defensive work, in the form of Scott McTominay.

The Scotsman may have only been given two minor cameos in the Premier League so far, but could bring a skillset that is better-suited to filling the team’s Amrabat-shaped hole than Eriksen. McTominay certainly ensured that he remained on the United manager’s radar during the international as he helped Scotland move a step closer to Euro 2024 qualification.

His goal against Cyprus was his sixth in five group games, putting him two behind former teammate