{"id":9653,"date":"2024-05-15T23:11:08","date_gmt":"2024-05-15T23:11:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/internationalpulse.net\/?p=9653"},"modified":"2024-05-15T23:11:08","modified_gmt":"2024-05-15T23:11:08","slug":"erik-ten-hag-hails-very-important-man-utd-star-despite-huge-error-vs-newcastle-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/internationalpulse.net\/?p=9653","title":{"rendered":"Erik ten Hag hails ‘very important’ Man Utd star despite huge error vs Newcastle | Football"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"Manchester\n<\/div>

Sofyan Amrabat has started just nine Premier League games for Man Utd (Photo: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Erik ten Hag sang the praises of the under-fire Sofyan Amrabat after a \u2018very good\u2019 performance in Manchester United\u2019s 3-2 win against Newcastle United.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s despite the defensive midfielder\u2019s lucky escape after he nearly gave away a penalty in the first-half for a foul on Anthony Gordon.<\/p>\n

United kept their European qualification hopes alive on Wednesday night with an impressive victory at Old Trafford, with Kobbie Mainoo, Amad Diallo and Rasmus Hojlund on the scoresheet.<\/p>\n

There was much praise for the three youngsters as well as captain Bruno Fernandes, but Ten Hag also highlighted the performance of Amrabat who is fighting to keep his Red Devils career alive.<\/p>\n

The Morocco international has greatly struggled since signing in loan from Fiorentina last summer, and it is very unlikely that United will exercise the option to make the move permanent.<\/p>\n

But his manager believes the 27-year-old is key to his tactical set-up, saying in his post-match press conference: \u2018I think he played a very good game. Very important for us in the pressing and the counter-press.<\/p>\n

\u2018He\u2019s doing a really good job keeping the team together, keeping the team compact and we had good moments to press, to control the game.\u2019<\/p>\n

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\"Manchester\n<\/div>

Amrabat was lucky to not give away a penalty for a foul on Anthony Gordon (Photo: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ten Hag was not asked however about the penalty that never was, after referee Rob Jones and VAR did not give a spot-kick despite Amrabat fouling Gordon in the box.<\/p>\n

United legend Wayne Rooney said Newcastle were \u2018very unfortunate\u2019 not to be given a penalty, while Gordon and Magpies boss Eddie Howe were left fuming over the decision.<\/p>\n

As for Amrabat himself, the midfielder spoke of his difficulties this season, with this game only his ninth Premier League start of the campaign.<\/p>\n