Adrien Rabiot’s mother and agent insists there were never “genuine negotiations” with Manchester United over the summer despite holding a meeting.
The Red Devils were on the hunt for a new central midfielder in the summer transfer window, and Sofyan Amrabat nevertheless arrived at Old Trafford at the deadline.
Amrabat was also joined by Mason Mount, Rasmus Hojlund, Andre Onana, Altay Bayindir, Jonny Evans and Sergio Reguilon with Man Utd racking up the fourth highest net spend in the Premier League this year.
The Morocco international and his fellow signings have struggled to settle into life at Man Utd with the Red Devils making a terrible start to the new season.
Amrabat has controlled 4 starts in the Premier League due to injury and Ten Hag has even left him out of position at left-back for a couple of games.
There were rumours that Juventus’ Rabiot was a serious option if a deal for Amrabat didn’t materialise, but in the end, his interest came to nothing.
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Rabiot was seen as a possible cheap option with his contract in Turin expiring at the conclusion of this season with speculation last month that Man Utd are ‘ready to knock again’ in January for the France international.
However, his mother and agent Veronique Rabiot insist that the claims that prevented an agreement with Manchester United from being reached are “all false” and that “there were never genuine negotiations”.
“Did it all fall apart due to a question of money? All false,” she told Sportweek.
“United wanted to meet me to illustrate interest in Adrien, but we never spoke in detail about cash because he will remain temporarily in Turin. There was never a genuine negotiation.
Amrabat has already drawn complaints in some quarters, with Man Utd legend Peter Schmeichel for his performance in the Red Devils’ 3-0 loss to arch-rivals Manchester City last weekend.
Schmeichel told Premier League Productions: “I mean, he makes a half-time substitution, there’s an explanation for that because he doesn’t run in midfield. Amrabat is so far from speed that Man City can do whatever they want.
“And the Array we did have, but they all came out of Manchester City’s mistakes, it wasn’t like we were creating anything.
“Then you see other little things, the players don’t play against each other when they’re supposed to pass the ball, and then you see little things that make you worry about this Manchester United team and the dressing room.