Man United boss Erik Ten Hag says he has Moroccan midfielder Sofyan Amrabat back for West Ham so where is Nayef Aguerd?
West Ham head to face Man United on Sunday afternoon and it promises to be a vital game in the battle for the Premier League top six.
But it seems Manchester United could be at an advantage over the Hammers for reasons only David Moyes can explain.
We reported over Christmas that defender Nayef Aguerd, who had been heavily linked with a move away, may have played his last game for West Ham.
Speculation was rife that Aguerd wants out of West Ham. And reports claimed Moyes was happy to sell the inconsistent centre-back for the right money as he eyed a move for Max Kilman or Jonathan Tah.
Aguerd angered some West Ham fans when he made himself unavailable for the Hammers due to illness over the festive period. But days later he flew out to meet up with the Morocco squad for AFCON.
The Atlas Lions were one of the favourites to go all the way at the tournament. But an Aguerd error played a huge part in sending Morocco home early after defeat to South Africa on Tuesday night.
Manchester United midfielder Sofyan Amrabat was also sent off towards the end of the game.
Now Man United have Amrabat back for West Ham so where is Aguerd?
As Man United get ready to host West Ham, Amrabat’s manager Erik ten Hag has confirmed he was back in training on Saturday, ready for the clash with the east Londoners.
But there has been no mention of Aguerd by Moyes in his pre-match press conference. And West Ham have not reported his return or showed the defender back in training in a picture gallery ahead of the game.
They both play for Morocco so why would one be back and the other not?
“Sofyan will return on Saturday in the training,” stated Ten Hag at his press conference previewing the Hammers clash.
There was no mention of Aguerd in Moyes’ own presser, though.
So unless the West Ham boss is playing games over his team selection and availability, it seems the central defender won’t be back.
If that is the case you have to ask yourself what the Hammers really gain from it? He’s a centre-back so it would not dramatically change Man United’s thinking and approach.
It would be understandable over a player like Lucas Paqueta, which would change the opposition’s tactics and setup.
If Amrabat returns for Manchester United against West Ham and Aguerd doesn’t, then questions need to be asked about why that is the case.
The only mention of Aguerd comes in the club’s preview for the game which states: “The Hammers welcomed Mohammed Kudus back to Club action after Ghana’s elimination from the CAF Africa Cup of Nations, and defender Nayef Aguerd may not be too far behind after Morocco exited the competition.”
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