Manchester United are ramping up the gear regarding their transfer interest in Morocco's World Cup sensation Sofyan Amrabat, with a deal potentially in the pipeline ahead of the January transfer window.

What's the word?

Reports stemming from the African nation's success on the international stage state that Liverpool are frontrunners to secure the signature of the industrious midfield gem, who is currently plying his trade at club level with Italian outfit Fiorentina.

But now Croatian publication Sportske Novosti believe that the onus on crashing the plans of their heated divisional rivals is indeed intensifying.

With some reports stating that the ace will set the Red Devils back €50m (£44m), he might end up being one of the central winter ventures into the transfer market, but he would be well worth the money.

United signed Casemiro for £70m and Christian Eriksen on a free transfer this summer, but there are still concerns over the depth and overall quality within the midfield ranks, and Amrabat could remedy these worries.

Better than McTominay

Red Devils midfielder Scott McTominay has been a polarising figure at Old Trafford, with the Scotsman hailed for his steadfast utility role by some but lamented for his performances by many others.

With the prospective introduction of Amrabat, United boss Erik ten Hag could issue a greater level of assured technicality over his fold of players, boosting the hopes of his ambitious plans for the club.

Amrabat was sensational in Qatar, completing 85% of his passes, making 2.3 tackles per match and 1.4 clearances from his role as the nucleus of his nation's endeavours, as per Sofascore.

Morocco reached the semi-finals, losing 2-0 to France in a gallant display, having defeated the likes of Portugal, Spain and Belgium en-route to their unprecedented success - their fourth-placed finish is a record for an African nation at the World Cup.

And for La Viola, the 26-year-old has produced a similar level of success, completing a remarkable 91% of his passes and recording an average rating of 6.8.

McTominay, in retrospect, has recorded an average rating of 6.63 in the Premier League, covering far less ground than his positional peer and completing only 82% of his passes.

To ice the cake, Amrabat ranks within the top 5% for pass completion and the top 4% for progressive passes when compared to midfielders across Europe's big five leagues, with the 26-year-old Red Devil ranking within the top 56% and bottom 36% for the same metrics.

United must sign Amrabat; he is of a "different class” - as lauded by journalist Lorenz Kohler - and he would certainly reflect that in his performances at the Theatre of Dreams.