After being started at left-back against Crystal Palace in Tuesday's Carabao Cup match by manager Erik ten Hag, Sofyan Amrabat, a summer signing for Manchester United, said he preferred to play in the midfield.

Amrabat got the start for Ten Hag's team in their 3-0 Carabao Cup victory over Crystal Palace.

The summer transfer from Fiorentina saw the Morocco international join Old Trafford after a failed transfer to Liverpool.

In Manchester United's 1-0 victory over Burnley on Saturday, he made his debut off the bench. Ten Hag then chose to give the 27-year-old his full debut against Crystal Palace.

Eyebrows were raised when Amrabat appeared to be deployed as a left-back, but it soon became clear that the midfielder was given a free role by Ten Hag and often drifted into midfield during the clash with Palace.

“I told the manager, I will play where you need me, where the team needs me, even as a goalkeeper!” Amrabat told Sky Sports about playing at left back.

“I will play anywhere where I can help the team. Today it was left-back, but I had a free role, and I played a lot in the midfield. It was nice; it was good.

“I like to have the ball always. Of course, I’m not a [natural] left-back, but I try to give the team extra options. Today it was okay.

“Of course I am a midfielder, and I prefer to play in midfield. But I will play wherever I am needed.”