This week, Manchester United announced they agreed a deal with Juventus for midfielder Adrien Rabiot. The Reds have switched their attention to the Frenchman to solve their midfield problems as talks continue to stall with long-term primary target Frenkie de Jong.
The move comes from left-field with little to no links having been made between both parties previously this summer, however, the 2-1 defeat to Brighton on Sunday reinforced the need for Erik ten Hag to add greater quality to his midfield, with a familiar duo of Fred and Scott McTominay again struggling.
Reports in France have suggested that Rabiot i s open to joining United, despite them not being in the Champions League next season. Part of his decision making process is said to root from the fact he believes he would be a guaranteed starter over the likes of McTominay and Fred.
The latter managed a pass success rate of just 69 per cent against the Seagulls, while Fred managed to play just two successful progressive passes. Rabiot meanwhile is seen as an excellent technician who has the potential to bring a new dimension to the United midfield should he arrive.
He made a name for himself at Paris Saint-Germain where he come through the club’s academy system to establish himself as an important member of the first team, winning five Ligue 1 titles in seven seasons and racking up over 227 appearances.
He left in 2019 under controversial circumstances after being frozen out by the club for failing to agree a new contract and was then made to train alone after liking an Instagram post by Patrice Evra celebrating Manchester United's win over PSG in the Champions League.
Numerous big European sides like Bayern Munich and Barcelona were linked with the midfielder, though he settled on Juventus as his next destination.
The 27-year-old has shown glimpses of his best self during his four years in Turin, however, he’s rarely been able to solidify a consistent role in the starting 11. This could explain why the Italian side are willing to let him go as he approaches the final year of his contract.
Despite this, some of Rabiot’s best traits are things that United currently desperately lack from their current crop of midfielders. He can play multiple positions, he's great at drifting between the lines, receiving and controlling the ball on the half-turn, and he can also play a wide range of different passes.
Rabiot recorded a pass success rate of over 90 per cent last season, neither Fred or McTominay averaged over 85 per cent. Both did actually post better numbers in terms of progressive passes, with Fred’s 4.8 per 90 the best of the three. However, it’s likely the United duo benefited from the Reds going more direct last season than Juventus did.
When it came to breaking lines with the ball at his feet, Rabiot bettered both in terms of averaging comfortably more progressive carries with 4.21 per 90.
Defensive numbers between the three were very similar, suggesting Rabiot can still bring stability to the team in transition, but it’s his superior technical ability that will be most desirable to United.
During his short time in charge, Ten Hag has usually played a midfield duo with Bruno Fernandes in a more advanced position ahead of them. One of the two is usually deeper, while the other plays more like a box-to-box.
Rabiot does have the potential to play either role and how he’d be used could depend on whether a deal is eventually done for De Jong. Should the Dutchman arrive, then he’s likely to be the player Ten Hag wants to build through, with Rabiot playing slightly higher, although if not, the Frenchman’s technical ability means that he’s probably going to act like the team’s deep-lying playmaker instead.
