Erik ten Hag has received a welcome boost in Manchester United's pursuit of Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot after Monaco were dumped out of the Champions League at the qualifying stage.
The Frenchman has made it clear to the Serie A giants he has no intention of extending his stay in Turin and has therefore put a number of clubs on high-alert as many outfits battle for his signature. Rabiot's mother Veronique is his agent and is known as a shrewd operator who will burn bridges if it means getting the best deal possible for her son.
Monaco's status in the Champions League was thought to be pivotal in the eyes of Rabiot when it comes to making his decision. The fact the Ligue 1 side have been eliminated by PSV Eindhoven is likely to end their hopes of landing the 26-year-old as a summer signing, handing the momentum to United.
Had Monaco progressed, there is every chance Rabiot would have been more inclined to join them considering they can more than hold their own financially in terms of wages and it would mark a return to a division he knows so well.
With that being said, United have already agreed a fee with Juventus over the transfer and now all that is left to do is agree personal terms with the player's camp. This could prove difficult given negotiating with Rabiot's mother is not always plain-sailing.
For just a reported fee of £20million, United could land a supremely technically-gifted midfield operator who has previously been dubbed a "complete player" by former Bianconeri boss Andrea Pirlo.
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However, the question marks over his attitude and off-field behaviour are hard to ignore. While at Paris Saint-Germain, Rabiot was fined and suspended from the first-team fold indefinitely for visiting a nightclub the night his side were eliminated from the Champions League - by Manchester United coincidentally.
Then-PSG sporting director Antero Henrique was scathing in his assessment of Rabiot's conduct.
"I find the attitude and lack of professionalism of a player like Adrien Rabiot towards the club, his team-mates and the supporters unacceptable," he told RMC Sport. "I remind you that, until June 30, 2019, he is part of our playing squad."
Rabiot has attracted interest from the Premier League before, with Thomas Tuchel reaching out to float the idea of a Stamford Bridge switch as recently as this summer. However, it looks increasingly likely that if Rabiot is to ply his trade on these shores, it will be at the 'Theatre of Dreams'.
