“I would rather have Marko Arnautovic at Manchester United instead of Jadon Sancho” – former England international Gabriel Agbonlahor.
When it comes to transfer expectations, Gabby Agbonlahor believes he would rather play Marko Arnautovic at Manchester United than Jadon Sancho and has pleaded with the team’s supporters to “stop living in the Fergie years.”
This month, United began negotiations with Bologna to acquire former Stoke City and West Ham striker Marko Arnautovic. However, United ended those talks on Tuesday after the Italian club turned down a £7.2 million approach.
The choice to stop their pursuit of the striker was made in response to the strong opposition the prospective signing received from Manchester United fans.
Agbonlahor, a former Aston Villa striker, thinks Arnautovic would have made United a better club this season and that Red Devils supporters should be more pragmatic about the transfer market this summer.
Agbonlahor remarked on talkSPORT, “I don’t know who United fans think they are.
“Arnautovic improves the performance of that United team. They must no longer remain in the Fergie era. Manchester United is currently a team that struggles to draw star players.
There is talk of looking toward the future and younger players. Sancho can no longer fight anyone because they did that to him. He catches the ball and gives it to [Diogo] Dalot again. He is unable to head, attack, or maneuver around opponents.
“Observe the wingers Manchester United has previously employed. [Antonio] Valencia used to run, challenge players, and deliver crosses. Even Nani excelled for United, engaging opponents and delivering crosses.
“This is no longer done by Jadon Sancho. Arnautovic is currently the player I would prefer have in my Manchester United team than Jadon Sancho.”
According to The Athletic, United’s decision to sign Arnautovic drew a number of protests from fans.
One such complaint came from Michael Damevski, a supporter of North Macedonian descent, who asked United how adding Arnautovic would fit with the team’s policy of having zero tolerance for racism.
The striker received a one-match suspension last year after being accused of using an anti-Albanian slur during his nation’s match against North Macedonia at Euro 2020.
On social media, fans also voiced concerns about Arnautovic’s age, at 33, and suitability for the team. Arnautovic is an international player for Austria.
Agbonlahor, however, feels that the age of Arnautovic shouldn’t have been a deciding factor in the club’s decision to sign him.
“It is irrelevant in my opinion. He is a manager’s choice, so if he improves that team for a season, sign him.
“Ignore what the fans may think. They will have a change of heart after he scores two goals.
“They have moved on from Harrods and are now shopping somewhere else. They are not the same Manchester United as before.”
