Marko Arnautovic is set for another big leap in the autumn of his career: Will the attacker join Manchester United?
When even Gary Neville runs out of words, there must be something very crazy going on at Manchester United. And for many observers, the courtship of Marko Arnautovic fits into that category.
English and Italian media have been reporting unanimously since Sunday that England’s record champions have made a surprising offer for the 33-year-old Austrian. There is talk of over eight million euros – and that Arnautovic’s club have rejected the offer for now.
Advisor confirms offer
“It’s true that there is an offer from a well-known club,” advisor and brother Danijel Arnautovic told The Courier. “I am in exchange with Bologna to see if it can be realised.” Arnautovic, who used to play for Werder Bremen among others, scored 14 goals and eight assists in 41 games for the Serie A club last season.
Nevertheless, a move to ManUnited would be completely unexpected. “I have a comment on everything in the world – except Manchester United getting Marko Arnautovic,” TV pundit Gary Neville said stunned on “Sky Sports” on Sunday. “I have nothing to say about that. “
To then elaborate: “We’ve seen Radamel Falcao, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Edison Cavani or Odion Ighalo” – this “desperation” is now “a pattern”, said Neville, who used to play for ManUnited himself for years. “It happens over and over again. I don’t even get angry anymore. I’m not going to comment on it. “
Background of ManUnited’s interest is probably also that Steve McClaren, assistant to new head coach Erik ten Hag, once coached Arnautovic at Twente Enschede and that the veteran would not need a long settling-in period in England given his Stoke City and West Ham past (2013 to 2019).
United had their season opener in tatters on Sunday with a 2-1 home defeat to Brighton. This has put the club in an even worse negotiating position, believes Neville, who was therefore not surprised by Bologna’s initial defensiveness: “The first thing you do when Manchester United call is to reject the offer. “
