Former Newcastle United and Blackburn Rovers striker Alan Shearer has claimed that news of Manchester United's pursuit of Bologna striker Marko Arnautovic was leaked from inside the club's camp.
With Anthony Martial out with a hamstring injury and Cristiano Ronaldo's future up in the air, the Red Devils are currently in the market for a striker. The club were linked with Arnautovic for a while before a potential move fell through following backlash from fans.
After tabling an initial bid of £6.8 million for Arnautovic, Manchester United decided against pursuing the player, as per The Athletic.
The club received complaints from fans about the Austrian, who was accused of using anti-Albanian slurs against North Macedonia's Ezgjan Alioski at last year's European Championships. The former West Ham United man was handed a one-match ban by UEFA but denied the allegations.
Speaking on Match of the Day (via Mirror), Shearer shared his suspicions about the potential deal involving Arnautovic. He said:
"I'm convinced that someone from United leaked the story linking them with Arnautovic, just to see what the reaction was. The reaction was that bad that they then had to pull out and I'm pretty convinced."
He continued:
"I think that sort of sums up where United are. They're in a mess and it's going to take time, an unbelievable amount of money to get things right inside the football club and in terms of the right recruitment and it’s going to take a lot of patience from the United fans because of where they are now to where they want to be – miles away."
As per the aforementioned report, a fan of North Macedonian descent wrote to Manchester United to question the club's zero tolerance approach to racism amid speculations involving Arnautovic. Several fans also emailed club chief executive Richard Arnold voicing their concerns.
So far, the Red Devils have secured the signings of centre-back Lisandro Martinez from Ajax, left-back Tyrell Malacia from Feyenoord and midfielder Christian Eriksen on a Bosman move this summer.
Gabriel Agbonlahor prefers Marko Arnautovic over Jadon Sancho at Manchester United
Speaking to talkSPORT (via Daily Star), former Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor claimed that Marko Arnautovic would make Manchester United a better squad than forward Jadon Sancho.
"I don't know who Manchester United fans think they are. Arnautovic makes that squad a better squad. He [Jadon Sancho] gets the ball [and] he passes it back to [Diogo] Dalot. He hides. He doesn't attack players. I'd rather Arnautovic in my team than Jadon Sancho at the moment."
Arnautovic registered 15 goals and one assist in 34 matches for Bologna in the 2021-22 season.
Romilopy
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Siri what do you think of the plane that my man in a painting is Brentford while I love this shitt they can't kick a football apple paper bag it was that
Rihbnsuyz
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man united where they belong
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You first need to win a match
Luzdlmorz
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Where are the players to fill that positions. United more signing to create a massive competition among them for which some may be forced to leave.
FrankUtd
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This is very true. Everybody criticize Cristiano Ronaldo is every Manchester United match whether he plays or not but the real culprits are not been criticized. I can’t remember the last time Sancho completed a take on or assist or move forward with the ball. They said Ronaldo doesn’t press, I don’t know the last time Sancho and Rashford press the defenders. These guys are the problem
Tjake
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man united where they belong
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Its only two matches and the table can change in one match so stop posting this nonsense
lekcdemnpy
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j1collins
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man united where they belong
Voaiklmntz
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that's right, he said it all.
mehblnp
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Groom Academy players... the future is bright with those talented youngsters...