Manchester United hit with injury blow as Sofyan Amrabat withdraws from Morocco's squad

Another Man United player joins the injury news

Sofyan Amrabat's forced omission from the Moroccan team has delivered Manchester United another injury blow.

The midfielder missed the 3-0 victory over Liberia on Tuesday owing to an injury, as reported by Moroccan news outlet Al Ayam.

Sofyan Amrabat missed Saturday's friendly match between the Atlas Lions and Ivory Coast and was unable to recover in time to play in Morocco's last Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Liberia.

The Moroccan midfielder had to skip his international trip last month, and according to The Athletic, a back issue was discovered during his physical.

'We will not hide behind absences, because we knew about Amrabat’s absence before the start of the camp,' Morocco manager Walid Regragui said over the weekend.

'Amrabat can get injured at some point. We must find a solution and alternative, and we have players capable of filling the void that Sofyan will leave.'

Sofyan Amrabat transferred from Fiorentina to United on the day of the deadline for a brief season-long loan. The Red Devils paid the Italian club an £8 million loan fee with a choice of rendering the agreement official next summer for a cost of £21 million.

This year, the 27-year-old Sofyan Amrabat has appeared in five games for United, largely as a left-back sub.

Erik ten Hag's developing injury crisis is made worse by Amrabat's most recent physical concern before United's return to Premier League action on the road at Sheffield United on Saturday night.

Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, Amad Diallo, Lisandro Martinez, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are among the long-term participants for Ten Hag.

Rasmus Hojlund and Mason Mount, two recent additions, both missed meetings due to injuries but are now fully recovered. Raphael Varane has not played three games due to a fitness difficulty.

Given that Casemiro participated in Tuesday's loss to Uruguay, Ten Hag should at least be able to trust him for his visit to Bramall Lane on Saturday.

The midfielder begged to be removed during Brazil's 1-1 draw with Venezuela on Saturday after suffering an ankle injury and returned to practice earlier this week.