United are in the market for a new midfielder and a potential opportunity to sign one may have arisen
Sean McCormick is a content editor across our North East and Yorkshire football clubs. He was previously a Newcastle United reporter, a trends writer covering both the Magpies and Sunderland AFC, as well as a football content editor at the Manchester Evening News. He also writes about darts and boxing. He joined us in 2016.
Marseille and France midfielder Adrien Rabiot
Marseille and France midfielder Adrien Rabiot(Image: Getty Images)
It is no secret Manchester United are in the market for a new midfielder.
While their new front three of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko offered a positive glimpse into United's future, despite defeat against Arsenal, United were badly lacking in the engine room against one of the best midfields in the division.
Bruno Fernandes has moved into a deeper midfield role this season but for him to thrive he needs legs a physical, defensive minded midfielder alongside him to allow him to flourish.
33-year-old Casemiro struggled against Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi and with the underwhelming Manuel Ugarte and the unused Kobbie Mainoo on the bench, it was another stark reminder United need to improve their midfield options.
Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba has been linked with a move. So, too, have Sporting midfielder Morten Hjulmand, Atalanta star Ederson and Crystal Palace youngster Adam Wharton.
But one midfield option that could present itself to the Reds in the final fortnight of the window is Marseille midfielder Adrien Rabiot. The French international was linked with a move to Old Trafford last summer but opted to return to his homeland to join Les Olympiens.
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After a successful first season working under former Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi saw Marseille finish second and qualify for this season's Champions League, things have quickly gone sour this summer.
In the wake of Marseille's 1-0 defeat to Rennes at the weekend, Rabiot clashed with team-mate Jonathan Rowe in the changing room with both players since being barred from training with the first team.
De Zerbi was left furious with the pair's actions and now, according to reports in France, the Italian has informed the club's hierarchy he no longer wishes to count on the 30-year-old in his squad.
Rabiot’s mother and agent, Veronique Rabiot, has since revealed it has been made clear that Rabiot no longer features in De Zerbi's plans, suggesting the player has shown a 'lack of investment' compared to his first season in the south of France.
As such, Rabiot's future now looks likely to be away from the Stade Velodrome and potential suitors have been put on high alert over his potential availability.
Whether the circumstances of his potential exit serve as a red flag to United boss Ruben Amorim, who is big on having the right characters in his squad, remains to be seen but a cut-price opportunity to sign a player they have previously been interested in may be one to explore.
If United have failed to sign their priority midfield targets and Rabiot remains available, a cut price deal for a player who has previously played for Juventus and PSG may work for all parties.