Manchester United reportedly wanted to sign Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha earlier but ended up with Sofyan Amrabat on deadline day.
According to Football Insider, Manchester United identified Joao Palhinha as their primary midfield target earlier in the summer. The 28-year-old Premier League star’s huge asking price may have pushed the Red Devils away from pursuing, as they signed Sofyan Amrabat on deadline day.
Manchester United’s need for a new defensive midfielder became apparent at the start of the window. Instead, Erik ten Hag spent the entirety of the window pursuing players in other positions and did bring in some notable names to shore up his squad.
Mason Mount arrived from Chelsea, followed by Andre Onana and a much-needed striker in Rasmus Hojlund. They went into another gear around the last few days of the window after Luke Shaw’s injury, which pushed them to agree a loan move for Sergio Reguilon from Tottenham.
Lastly, goalkeeper Altay Bayindir arrived but still needed a defensive midfielder to strengthen the area. Sofyan Amrabat, a long-term target since probably last January, finally arrived on deadline day, and his arrival was so late Manchester United could not register him for the Arsenal clash.
While the Moroccan arrived and will now fulfil his dream by playing for the club, he wasn’t Manchester United’s first-choice target. They had an interest in Declan Rice before Arsenal snapped him, but the report reveals that Fulham’s Joao Palhinha was also a priority option.
Since the Rice sale, Fulham knew clubs would move for a new defensive midfielder and placed a £90 million price tag on Palhinha. West Ham were keen and backed away due to that asking price. Manchester United decided against pursuing the 28-year-old Premier League star for the same reason.
Palhinha eventually wanted to leave the club as Fulham agreed a fee with Bayern Munich. Unfortunately, the German window closed well before the English one. The Cottagers could not find a viable replacement for the Portuguese star.
Manchester United will have to remain content with their acquisition of Amrabat. The Moroccan will take on the pitch after the international break when the Red Devils host a flying Brighton side at Old Trafford.
i want to blv ten hag doesnt know how to sign players he needs a better scout