Manchester United’s midfield has gone through some changes but Erik ten Hag may still be seeking tweaks to his engine room moving forward.
The summer transfer window handed Manchester United a much-needed opportunity to revamp Erik ten Hag’s squad.
Ineos were charged with the task of backing Ten Hag and fans wanted to see a new-look midfield.
One new face arrived as Manuel Ugarte signed from Paris Saint-Germain on transfer deadline day.
That deal took a while to complete but United also saw some exits in the midfield department.
Scott McTominay was sold to Napoli whilst Sofyan Amrabat joined Fenerbahce after his loan deal with United came to an end.
- READ MORE: Manchester United confirmed signings, transfers in, out, loan exits, releases for 2024/25
Manchester United again linked with Adrien Rabiot
Whether enough work has been done in United’s midfield remains to be seen.
Casemiro struggled against Liverpool and speculation has surrounded Christian Eriksen with the two experienced midfielders potentially coming to the end of their United careers.
Toby Collyer is impressing Ten Hag but United will need to continue shaping the midfield ranks moving forward.
One name which just won’t go away is Adrien Rabiot.
The Frenchman seems to be linked with United in every transfer window and may end up alongside the likes of Wesley Sneijder, Ezequiel Garay and Nicolas Gaitan; perpetually linked with United but never actually signs.
United were allegedly offered the chance to sign Rabiot on a free transfer this summer – on more than one occasion.
Rabiot is a free agent after leaving Juventus and could yet sign for United outside of the transfer window.
Caught Offside now claim that United are internally discussing whether to go for a more experienced players rather than sticking to the plan of just signing young players with Rabiot an ‘option’.
Rabiot would fit that bill at 29 but a deal for the Frenchman would surely only have made sense if Eriksen moved on last week.
United said no to Rabiot over the summer and it would be a surprise to see that stance change now, even with Casemiro struggling.
Rabiot snubs Turkey deal
So where does Rabiot end up?
The market for his signature just hasn’t taken off but Rabiot is still rejecting potential moves.
Fabrizio Romano claims that Rabiot has rejected proposals from Turkiye – including from Galatasaray.
Rabiot doesn’t want to move to Turkiye or Saudi Arabia right now, seemingly viewing his future in a top league around Europe.
Those offers haven’t arrived and whilst Rabiot has scored 16 goals from midfield in his last two seasons, United’s stance is seemingly mirrored by others right now.
Rabiot under pressure amid ‘embarrassing’ transfer criticism
Rabiot needs to find himself a club soon though and those offers from Turkiye or Saudi Arabia may look increasingly appealing as time goes on.
The big problem for Rabiot right now is that he is no longer being selected for the French national team.
Didier Deschamps just can’t select Rabiot when he isn’t training and playing with a team and left him out of this international period.
“Adrien Rabiot has a somewhat embarrassing situation. His contract was expiring and he was solicited by several teams… but now he’s without a team and doesn’t train in a group.
“I hope he can quickly choose a club that can then bring him back to us,” said Deschamps, as quoted by Fabrizio Romano.
Rabiot needs to find a club soon and we just can’t see that being United.
The time to sign Rabiot would have been over the summer and United just didn’t appear to be all that interested.
Unless there is a major injury or shock departure to a league where the transfer window is still open, we would be stunned to see Rabiot arrive at Old Trafford – and it may be time to put this particular rumour to bed.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
