Manchester United fans can no doubt list off so many names of players who were relentless linked with moves to Old Trafford but never married.
Clubs as huge as Manchester United are always prominent in the transfer rumour mill.
Some rumours pay off but others just seem to come around again and again.
Nicolas Gaitan, Ezequiel Garay and Wesley Sneijder spring to mind whilst United were again linked with Frenkie de Jong just last summer.
None of them ended up donning the famous red shirt and Adrien Rabiot can certainly be added to that list of almost-Red Devils.
Adrien Rabiot on Manchester United
United agreed to sign Rabiot from Juventus back in 2022 but a deal for the Frenchman ended up collapsing.
The rumours continued last summer as reports suggested that United actually snubbed the chance to sign Rabiot on a free transfer.
Rabiot left Juventus and struggled to find a club, eventually joining Marseille in September – a month after the season started.
The 29-year-old is now featuring prominently under Roberto De Zerbi, bagging five goals in 20 Ligue 1 appearances this season.
Speaking to DAZN France an as transcribed by RMC Sport, Rabiot noted that he has spoken to Marseille sporting director Mehdi Benatia about the love he has received at Marseille.
Benatia has asked Rabiot whether he thinks he would have received the same adulation if he had signed for Manchester United instead.
Rabiot believes that the love Marseille fans give him is something else and feels truly valued again, seemingly holding no wishes that he had joined United instead.
“We often talk about it with Medhi, he sends me messages and says: ‘You see, this love that people give you here, do you think you could have found it if you had gone to Manchester United or elsewhere?’
“It’s true that since I’ve been here, this love that people show me… Have I experienced it elsewhere? No. Here, I feel like I’m really recognised at my true value,” said Rabiot.
More midfield additions to come for Manchester United
United passed on Rabiot last summer despite his availability as a free agent.
Manuel Ugarte joined United from Paris Saint-Germain instead but more investment may now be needed this summer.
Christian Eriksen is poised to leave United this summer and few would be surprised to see Casemiro follow.
Ruben Amorim needs to have potential midfield signings in mind but we can’t see Rabiot being on the list.
The ship has surely sailed on this rumour once and for all – and Rabiot seems to be happy with his outcome with Marseille.
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