Bologna striker Marko Arnautovic has blamed Paul Pogba’s sensational move to Manchester United over six years ago for his failed move to the club.
The Austria striker was a reported target of Jose Mourinho’s while the Portuguese tactician was head coach of the Red Devils. They had both worked briefly together at Inter Milan and he had spent some time in the Premier League when Mourinho returned to the league.
However, nothing came of the reports and the issue was cast aside. But Arnautovic has now come out to state matter-of-factly that he spoke with Mourinho over a move and had a verbal agreement in place with the manager, who was going to push for the signing.
United chose instead to pour all their resources into making a move for Paul Pogba and that was the end of any talks of Arnautovic turning up for Manchester United.
The Austria striker was speaking to Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport. “Jose wanted me when I was at West Ham. He told me: ‘How much do you cost?’
“After that [Pogba’s transfer] I was like: “So, do you still want me?” However, his Manchester United side had bought Paul Pogba and didn’t have enough money to sign me.”
Pogba’s spell, while with flashes of brilliance, was largely a bust for all concerned and he is now back at Juventus, from where Manchester United signed him back in 2016. Arnautovic, meanwhile, was touted as a summer signing for the Red Devils but fan backlash made the club back out of any deal.
Discussing the past links to United the 33-year-old said: “Manchester United tried to sign me several times. And it was a difficult decision to stay in Italy because my family wanted to return to England.
“For me it’s clear that the Red Devils remain at the top of the universe. And Bologna, as a name, are not. But that’s fine.
“Here everything is calm, you have time for yourself and no stress. This is only good for me.”
Manchester United are currently looking to replace Cristiano Ronaldo after the 37-year-old left the club by mutual consent during the World Cup break.
While Arnautovic is surely not going to be top of the list, if they choose to, he can be a good option to have off the bench. However, it is unlikely that the Austrian would get his dream move because the fans do not seem to like the idea of him wearing the shirt of the club.
