Revealed: How club legend's MUTV interview derailed Man Utd's pursuit of Adrien Rabiot in 2022, despite a £15m fee being agreed

Manchester United were in talks to sign Rabiot from Juventus during Erik ten Hag's first summer at the club in 2022. But after a £15 million ($19.7m at today's exchange rate) transfer fee was agreed with Juve, United legend Lou Macari questioned, during an appearance on MUTV - the club's own in-house channel - why the Frenchman wasn't being pursued by other big sides.

United famously struggled to hammer out personal terms with Rabiot's mother and agent, Veronique, which would certainly have helped scupper any deal. But, two years on, The Athletic has now revealed that the player was allegedly so upset by apparent criticism before he had even arrived that it made him think twice. From United's perspective, they then questioned his ability to handle the scrutiny that comes with joining the club. They did show interest in him again this summer following his release from Juventus as a free agent, but wound up landing primary target Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain instead.

Macari said: "[I have] a bad feeling about the guy."

Macari made 404 appearances for Manchester United between 1973 and 1983, winning the FA Cup and playing in two others finals, as well as helping the club back into the top flight in 1975.

While Manchester United fans patiently await Ugarte's debut, likely to be against Southampton after the international break, Rabiot remains without a club. Interest from AC Milan that would keep him in Italy has been rumoured, while Barcelona are in desperate need of midfielders, although any potential deal with the financially troubled Catalans would be challenging. As a free agent, Rabiot isn't bound by the transfer deadline.