Man Utd tried to sign Fabinho before completing Nemanja Matic transfer - Adam Joseph

MANCHESTER UNITED tried to sign Monaco star Fabinho before settling for Nemanja Matic, according to journalist Adam Joseph.

Manchester United target Fabinho displays impressive skills

Manchester United have bolstered their midfield by splashing out £35million to lure Matic away from Premier League champions Chelsea.

Jose Mourinho has finally got his man, securing a reunion with the Serbia international who he brought back to Chelsea from Benfica in January 2014.

The Manchester United manager has spent the summer chasing a holding midfielder to help coax the best out of Paul Pogba, who struggled after returning from Juventus last summer.

Before the deal, the Red Devils were being linked with a move for Monaco star Fabinho, who impressed as Leonardo Jardim's side won Ligue 1 last term.

Manchester United tried to seal a transfer deal for Fabinho but ultimately chose Nemanja Matic

And journalist Joseph claims that United were originally keen to lure Fabinho away from Monte Carlo, but Monaco made the deal 'difficult.'

"Various sources confirming that Manchester United were in fact pushing to sign Fabinho but Monaco made a deal very difficult," he said on Twitter

"MUFC moved on."

Speaking back in June, Fabinho admitted he was keen to play under Mourinho at Old Trafford.

Manchester United Transfer News Fabinho Nemanja MaticGETTY

Manchester United tried to sign Fabinho from Monaco this summer

Manchester United Transfer News Fabinho Nemanja MaticGETTY

Manchester United have finally signed Nemanja Matic from Chelsea

"In terms of managers, I would like to work with great managers to learn more about football, learn new things. There are great managers in football,” he told ESPN.

“Guardiola, Zidane, who’s doing great work, Tite [Brazil manager], also doing a great job in the national team, Simeone. 

“These are managers I would like to work with some day.

“Mourinho, too. He is an excellent manager. No doubt.”

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