Barely a day goes by without Manchester United fans paying a grateful tribute to Veronique Rabiot. 7
If things had worked out differently, had Adrien’s ever-meddling mother not demanded a salary that that had United running for the hills, would Casemiro have ever arrived at Old Trafford?
Talk about a sliding doors moment. As The Guardian wrote, the Premier League giants turned to Casemiro after a deal for Rabiot had broken down (SportMediaset).
Considering the colossal impact the Real Madrid icon has made in England’s north west, you’d probably need only one hand count the Red Devils supporters who would consider trading in Casemiro for an oft-maligned midfielder who, given the extent of the scrutiny that has come his way in recent years, would make Harry Maguire look popular.
Then again, describing Casemiro as an ‘alternative’ to Rabiot – as The Guardian did – almost has the feeling of a film studio missing out on Al Pacino and hiring Jim Carrey instead.
If Casemiro’s game is all about bone-rattling tackles and deep-lying dictating, then Rabiot’s best work is often done in the final third. They may be both midfielders, and Pacino and Carrey are both actors, but that should be where the similarities end.
Will Manchester United still end up signing Adrien Rabiot?
Both have their own unique skillsets. Rabiot would look about as comfortable in Casemiro’s ‘number six’ role as Pacino would Dumb and Dumber Too. But that does not mean either man cannot still thrive in the right circumstances.
Rabiot failed to score a single goal in 45 games for Juventus in 2021/22. A tally of nine in just 33 games this term, however, is proof of just how effective the France international can be when pushed forward; freed from the sort of defensive responsibilities which initially limited his influence in Turin.
This is already the most prolific campaign of Rabiot’s career. With seven in Serie A, the one-time Manchester City youngster has found the net more often in league football than even Bruno Fernandes in 2022/23.
Rabiot may have been viewed as an ‘alternative’ to Casemiro. But, with every fierce finish, with every towering header, it becomes increasingly apparent that a midfield with Rabiot alongside Casemiro, rather than instead of the Brazilian battle-axe, could have been hugely effective.
Who knows? Maybe it still will be.
‘Manchester United remain firmly in the mix’
“Adrien Rabiot’s situation is fascinating,” TEAMtalk reporter Graeme Bailey explains. “He is a very interesting option for a lot of clubs.
“Within the game he is very highly thought of. Manchester United they remain firmly in the mix, as do Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham and Newcastle.”
The likely departure of Scott McTominay, potentially to St James’ Park, would free up a spot in Erik ten Hag’s engine room for a powerful, athletic, box-to-box midfielder capable of putting his height and impressive timing to excellent use inside the penalty area.
Rabiot was probably not the solution to Man United’s long-standing defensive-midfield deficiencies. But that does not mean there is not still a place for him at Old Trafford. Just in a different, more attack-minded area of the pitch.
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