For Marko Arnautovic? | Bst: Youвђ™ll Manchester Joined Sometimes Be In

The proposal was heavily criticized by both pundits and fans for several key reasons:

: Ten Hag sought a physical, experienced backup striker who could provide a different dimension to Cristiano Ronaldo and Anthony Martial . Having previously worked with Arnautović at FC Twente , the manager believed the 33-year-old was a reliable "stop-gap" for the Premier League.

: Manchester United made an opening offer of approximately £7 million to Bologna . The proposal was heavily criticized by both pundits

: Fans and pundits, such as Chris Sutton , labeled the move a "PR disaster" and "ridiculous". The pursuit of a 33-year-old who had recently spent years in China was seen as a sign of desperate, uninspired recruitment after failing to secure primary targets like Benjamin Šeško .

: On August 9, 2022, United "pulled the plug" on the deal. While Bologna's rising financial demands played a role, the primary driver was the significant backlash from the fanbase. Reasons for the Review : Fans and pundits, such as Chris Sutton

Years later, Arnautović revealed that he actually further interest from the club, describing Manchester United as the "top of the universe" but ultimately deciding to stay in Italy for a "calmer" environment. Following the failed move, he eventually joined Inter Milan on loan in 2023, where he won the Serie A title.

: Supporters voiced strong opposition due to allegations of racism. Specifically, fans pointed to an incident during Euro 2020 where Arnautović was banned for one game for using an anti-Albanian slur against a North Macedonian opponent. Reports indicated that fans, including those of North Macedonian descent, emailed the club directly to express that his signing would violate the club's "no tolerance" approach to racism. While Bologna's rising financial demands played a role,

: While United initially targeted him as an affordable option, Bologna publicly declared him "priceless," leading to a valuation that United felt did not align with a player of his age. Player Perspective