Manchester United were linked with Adrien Rabiot over the summer, but a new claim from French outlet *L'Equipe* suggests the club offered the 29-year-old midfielder a four-year deal—an offer that would seem to contradict the transfer strategy implemented by Ineos, the club's new owners. Throughout the summer, United prioritized signing younger, up-and-coming players to build for the future, making the supposed long-term offer to Rabiot a surprising and "bizarre" move according to pundits.
Ineos and sporting director Dan Ashworth focused on bolstering United’s squad by targeting younger talent and trimming high-earning players like Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial. Their summer acquisitions, such as Noussair Mazraoui, fit this profile, with Mazraoui proving to be a bargain at £12.8 million. However, Rabiot, who had become a free agent after leaving Juventus, would have represented a departure from this youthful approach, as he was nearing 30 and seeking a club in European competition.
United were in the market for another midfielder following Scott McTominay's move to Napoli for £25 million. Casemiro’s declining performances made the need for reinforcements in midfield sensible. Rabiot's experience, including his World Cup finalist status with France, seemed to make him an appealing short-term solution to add depth and variety to United's midfield. However, his high wage demands reportedly became an issue during negotiations, and he ultimately signed with Marseille.
The reported four-year offer from United seems odd, especially considering Ineos' emphasis on planning for the future. Pundits have highlighted that signing an older player like Rabiot to a long-term deal would clash with United’s recent recruitment philosophy, which aims to invest in younger players who fit Erik ten Hag's high-intensity style of play. Offering Rabiot a contract that would have seen him stay until age 33 would have risked repeating mistakes made with Casemiro, whose own long-term deal now seems to weigh heavily on the club given his decline in form.
Ultimately, United missing out on Rabiot may have been a blessing in disguise, allowing them to maintain their focus on developing a younger, more dynamic squad. The club’s decision not to proceed with a four-year deal aligns with Ineos' broader strategy, avoiding a potentially costly commitment to a player entering his twilight years.
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