Anass Achahbar is a name that won’t mean anything to Manchester United fans. But it could have, if things had been very different.
For those that don’t know, Achahbar is a Dutch Moroccan football coach and former professional footballer.
Playing primarily as an attacking midfielder or forward and is best known for his early career at Feyenoord.
He became a fan favourite at the club after progressing through their youth academy. He made his debut in 2011 and went on to spend five years with them before spell across Europe.
His defining moment for the Dutch club came on 22nd March 2015, when Feyenoord beat rivals PSV Eindhoven 2-1.
Big moments
PSV were top of the table at that point, marching towards the Dutch league title when Feyenoord boss Fred Rutten did something unexpected.
He handed the 21-year-old Achahbar his very first start in the Eredivisie. That was reward for him scoring a late winner off the bench against FC Dordrecht the week prior.
After a tense, scoreless first half, Achahbar turned the game on its head. In the 59th minute he struck a magnificent left-footed volley on the turn directly past goalkeeper Jeroen Zoet.
Four minutes later, he doubled his tally, taking eh ball on his chest from a cross before unleashing another brilliant left-footed volley into the bottom corner.
Manchester United call
It was a huge, defining moment and something people still ask him about to this day. And he says that’s perfectly fine, despite Manchester United and Barcelona coming knocking afterwards.
“Yes, people still bring up that match. It was a magnificent afternoon,” he told Algemeen Dagblad.
“I was given a starting spot, and I scored goals. That day had everything I had longed for for so long.
“I arrived at Feyenoord as a young boy from The Hague’s Schilderswijk district, and I played alongside some incredible talents in the youth academy.”
He’s not bothered about the interest from Manchester United, Barcelona and others. He only had that one dream and was happy with it.
“We became European champions with the Netherlands U17s, beating Germany 5–2 in the final. Back then, big clubs came knocking—Manchester United, Barcelona, you name it. But I had seen what a packed De Kuip looked like, and that was all I ever wanted,” he added.
“I didn’t dream of proving myself at a major European club; I wanted to score for Feyenoord and make De Kuip erupt. That afternoon in 2015, everything came together.”
