Man Utd tried to sign player twice but he 'refused' to join because 'they're in a bit of a hole'

A highly-rated player reportedly ‘refused’ to sign for Manchester United despite written offers being put to him.

Ruben Amorim’s Man United will look to improve on their 2024/25 campaign, during which they finished 15^th in the Premier League and lost the Europa League final to Spurs, by bringing in top-quality operators this summer.

Brazil international Matheus Cunha has already sealed a £62.5m deal from Wolves, while the Red Devils are also heavily linked with Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo.

The futures of Marcus Rashford, Antony and Jadon Sancho are still uncertain after the trio spent periods on loan at Aston Villa, Real Betis and Chelsea during the 2024/25 campaign.

Now, a well-respected France midfielder has revealed that the club were interested in signing him not once but twice and even had written offers prepared, but he chose not to take up the opportunity.

Ruben Amorim will look to recruit this summer (Credit:Getty)

Marseille midfielder Adrien Rabiot opened up about interest from United in an interview with The Athletic.

“It really could have happened two years ago, when I was coming to the end of my contract at Juventus and I finally decided to extend by a year,” Rabiot said. “We had great talks, and there were written offers. But in the end, it didn’t happen."

He added: "Last year as well, when I was free, they came back in again. I had good talks with them again. But it’s true that it was a bit tricky. The situation they’re in at the moment… I felt a bit of reticence about whether United were going to be able to go on and achieve great things. Because they’re in a bit of a hole at the moment.”

Rabiot, 30, has also represented Paris Saint-Germain and won five Ligue 1 titles with the side before leaving for Juventus in 2019.

In 2024, he signed for Marseille, where he now shares a dressing room with ex-United striker Mason Greenwood.

“Mason is an incredible player,” said Rabiot.

Adrien Rabiot and Mason Greenwood (Credit:Getty)

“If he hadn’t had all of his problems, I think he’d have an image like (Jude) Bellingham. Mason would be the star.

“Because he’s an exceptional player. He can score with his right foot and his left foot, he has an exceptional shot, he can dribble. We’re very lucky to have him. When he’s really focused, he does really great things.”

The 23-year-old left United after allegations of attempted rape, coercive and controlling behaviour and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Greenwood strongly denied all the allegations, and the UK’s Crown Prosecution Service discontinued proceedings against him.