Ineos implemented a clear transfer strategy at Manchester United this summer but a new contract claim suggests they were willing to break their own rules.
In what was their first summer transfer window in charge of recruitment, Ineos and new sporting director Dan Ashworth delivered on their promises and strengthened Manchester United’s squad.
They targeted young and upcoming stars and ensured that Erik ten Hag has two quality options in every position across the pitch.
Noussair Mazraoui is proving to be a bargain after his £12.8m move, and at 26 years old he is also the oldest of United’s five summer signings.
There was also a clear push by Ineos to try and thin United’s squad – and wage bill – with high-earners such as Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial leaving after the club decided against offering them new contracts.
Bizarre Adrien Rabiot contract claim
One outlier in United’s transfer targets was Adrien Rabiot, who at 29 years old would have represented a more experienced but short-term signing.
United were linked with Rabiot over the summer as the club weighed up options in midfield following Scott McTominay’s £25m move to Napoli. Rabiot became a free agent after leaving Juventus and attracted interest from several clubs, but his wage demands proved to be an issue.
With Casemiro’s performances continuing to decline, another midfield signing seemed sensible to bolster Ten Hag’s squad, but Rabiot is now set to complete a move to Marseille.
However, French outlet L’Equipe have now claimed that United did make an effort to sign Rabiot and even offered him a four-year deal.
They add that Rabiot wanted to join a club competing in Europe and had held negotiations with United over a potential move.
Four-year Adrien Rabiot deal makes no sense
Signing Rabiot as a short-term option to add some muscle and variety to United’s midfield department made sense, but offering the World Cup finalist a four-year deal would have been bizarre to say the least.
It simply doesn’t add up. Every move taken by Ineos this summer suggests they have been planning for the future and investing in youth.
That doesn’t mean that signing a player closing in on 30 years old can be ruled out entirely, but it would have been crazy for Ineos to throw their strategy out the window to sign Rabiot on a long-term deal.
The France international would have been 33 years old by the time the deal expired, and it’s hard to picture Rabiot lasting that long in Ten Hag’s style of play. United made that mistake with Casemiro and Ineos would be wise to avoid offering long-term contracts to players approaching their twilight years.
Missing out on Rabiot may have been a lucky escape for United.
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