Recent media reports (Source – The Metro) suggest that Manchester United could be ready to make a move for Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Adrien Rabiot.

Now many will look at that possible transfer with raised eyebrows.

The French internationalist has a history of ill-discipline and falling out with authority figures. According to The Independent, the player wrote to the French Football Association last summer to ask them to take him off the reserve list for the World Cup as he felt he merited a place in the actual squad.

He has had issues with turning up late for training and team meetings in the past and that’s seen him drop out of the team.

Adrien was last involved in a PSG match back in December, when he made a seven minute cameo in the Champions League win over FK Crvena Zvezda. It’s believed that he was banished to the reserves after stating once and for all that he wouldn’t commit to signing a new deal with the Ligue 1 champions.

People are also very suspicious of his agent, who also happens to be his mother. She too has had run-ins with some of PSG’s hierarchy.

In fairness, I always think there’s three sides to a story. PSG will have their side, Rabiot will have his side and then the truth is usually somewhere in between.

What isn’t in doubt is the player’s skill-set. Rabiot is a very tidy and effective midfielder.

What’s also not in doubt is that Man United need more midfield reinforcements. The United midfield has never been at it’s strongest since Paul Scholes first retired in 2011.

Fred was very hit or miss last term and if we are being honest more miss than hit. Scott McTominay and Andreas Pereira are still quite young and raw midfielders, great to have around the squad but still not quite first team regulars.

Tall Belgian midfielder Marouane Fellaini departed Old Trafford in January, combative star Ander Herrera has announced he’s leaving this summer and Juan Mata hasn’t put pen to paper on a new deal and he too might leave during this offseason.

There’s even chat that once again Paul Pogba is looking for a way out.

So Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will have to be on the lookout for a few new midfielders.

Rabiot is a very accomplished performer; who has international experience, has starred in the Champions League and has won trophies at his previous club.

In the last five seasons, Adrien has only once not made 90%+ in his passing success rates when it comes to appearances in the French top flight or in the Champions League!

United need players in the engine room that remain composed under pressure and who can keep the ball. Rabiot is excellent when it comes to ball retention.

Since Fellaini moved to China, The Red Devil’s midfield haven’t been as strong when it comes to aerial battles. Rabiot is 6ft 1 and is strong in the air, last season he was averaging 1.6 headers per league game according to Whoscored.

A potential midfield threesome of Pogba, Rabiot and Nemanja Matic looks to be a fairly balanced one to me.

The transfer will no doubt appeal to the United board given there’s no fee involved and that could allow them to bring in more targets during the summer transfer window.

Don’t get me wrong, Manchester United will have to sit down with Adrien Rabiot and his mum/agent and see where they are mentally. If he’s focused and hungry to prove himself as a top star then I think they need to make him an offer and encourage him to show the world that he is indeed a top performer.

Posted on June 4th, 2019 by scott
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