Why Manchester United over Manchester City could be the ideal destination for Adrien Rabiot
It was a battle between the two Manchester clubs at the top of the Premier League table last term, with Manchester City eventually trumping Manchester United to clinch the title in record-breaking fashion.
The Cityzens scored a whopping 100 points en route to winning the league, thus becoming the first Premier League team to do so. Pep Guardiola’s side broke numerous records and quashed critics as they marched their way to the title.
Although Manchester United finished second in the Premier League, they had a rather underwhelming campaign and finished a staggering 19 points behind champions City. The Red Devils need to strengthen their squad in the summer if they want to mount a serious title challenge next season.
And United have been linked with making a move for Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Adrien Rabiot, who is also on the radar of Manchester City. The 23-year-old has just a year left on his current contract with the French champions and is keeping his options open.
Reports claim that Rabiot, who generally operates as a central midfielder, wants to leave the club after former boss Unai Emery played him as a defensive midfielder. He intends to meet new manager Thomas Tuchel, who is reportedly interested in building his team around Marco Verratti and Julian Draxler.
Rabiot is more of box-to-box midfielder and that is the position he prefers to play in. The Frenchman’s agent Veronique, who is also her mother, has already met with the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City, Juventus and Barcelona over her son’s future.
But a move to Manchester United seems the most favorable option for the midfielder. Rabiot joined PSG in 2012 and has thus far made 136 Ligue 1 appearances for the club, scoring 11 goals and providing as many assists. He is a classic box-to-box midfielder, who is excellent on the ball and possesses great dribbling abilities as well.
The 23-year-old made a total of 27 appearances in Ligue 1 last season, scoring 1 goal and providing 5 assists. His best quality is his ability to circulate and distribute the ball from midfield.
At Manchester United, Paul Pogba could benefit from having Rabiot beside him. Together, they would become a great midfield force. Rabiot averaged a pass success rate of 92.2% in Ligue 1 last season. He would be an exceptional addition for United, who often looked blank and mediocre in midfield last season.
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Manchester United have the resources to lure Rabiot to Old Trafford. Under Mourinho, the France international can develop further and transform into one of the best box-to-box midfielders in Europe.
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