Manchester United target Fabinho admits to downing tools in bid to force move from Monaco to Old Trafford
Brazilian midfielder wanted to leave for the Premier League or Paris Saint-Germain but the French side held on to him
MANCHESTER UNITED target Fabinho has admitted he downed tools at the start of the season when he was trying to force a move.
Jose Mourinho’s current side and his possible future one PSG were both interested in the Monaco star right up to the end of the August window.
But – after they cashed in and sold Kylian Mbappe to PSG, Tiemoue Bakayoko to Chelsea and Bernardo Silva and Benjamin Mendy to Manchester City, they closed the shop.
Monaco have started the season well - barring a battering by Nice in September – and are second in Ligue 1.
But the 24-year-old told Nice Matin he has only recently got his straight and given his maximum.
He said: “During the window it was difficult because I was not sure if I would be staying. I was closer to leaving than staying.
“Playing in that context was not good. My head was elsewhere. Unconsciously, I was not giving my maximum.
"I was not trying to give a bad image, I could never do that. I was frustrated at the end of the window but I have turned the page.”
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United landed Nemaja Matic instead – an added coup as he was snatched from direct Premier League rivals Chelsea – leaving Fbainho in limbo.
But a chat with his nearest and dearest has convinced him to knuckle down and focus only on the French side.
He said: “I could not forget about what the club had promised me.
“I was sure I was right and I thought about fighting for it.
“But I discussed it with my friends, my family, my agent, it was not an easy decision.”
