Erik ten Hag saw transfer plea for midfield ‘engine’ rebuffed by INEOS chiefs, he’s now joined another club

While most supporters are of the belief that Manchester United’s summer recruits were cherry-picked by Erik ten Hag, his plea to sign one player was reportedly rebuffed by INEOS chiefs.

Indeed, the manager welcomed two more of his former protegees to Old Trafford last month in the form of defensive duo Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui, strengthening his ex-Ajax contingent to five players since his tenure began.

Dutch international Joshua Zirkzee was acquired to play backup to No.9 Rasmus Hojlund, while Leny Yoro and Manuel Ugarte have bolstered the defensive department.

Yet, Ugarte, who was unveiled to United supporters before Sunday’s defeat to Liverpool, may not have been Ten Hag’s first-choice in the position.

According to reputable Red Devils journalist Andy Mitten, Ten Hag had requested that Sofyan Amrabat be brought back to the club following his loan expiry at the end of June.

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Ten Hag’s transfer plea rebuffed by transfer chiefs

Reports throughout the summer had claimed United were mulling over the idea of welcoming the midfield ‘engine’ back as a cut-price option but failed to materialise their interest – and it’s because INEOS weren’t fond of the idea.

“Erik ten Hag wanted Amrabat for this season, and because of the chat within internally, that didn’t happen, and that’s fine. This is how Manchester United are working now,” Mitten revealed on the Talk of the Devils podcast.

Amrabat, 28, has since completed a season-long loan move to Fenerbache, where he’ll play under former United coach Jose Mourinho and alongside Fred.