1 of the shock tales of the summertime transfer window was Manchester United’s shift to indication Marko Arnautovic.
United were being browsing for a new number nine as they ready for the prospective exit of Cristiano Ronaldo, who experienced issued a transfer ask for.
At the start off of August, United submitted a bid of €8 million for the 33-calendar year-outdated Austrian, which was instantly turned down by Bologna.
Arnautovic and his entourage had built it very clear that they wanted to make the go but Bologna insisted publicly that they ended up not organized to sell.
However, Man Utd ended up expected to increase their give for the striker as personally requested by manager Erik 10 Hag, who worked with Arnautovic while at Twente.
Even so, a enthusiast campaign demanding that Gentleman Utd do not sign Arnautovic proved to be thriving.
Followers complained that Arnautovic utilized an anti-Albanian slur at Euro 2020 for the duration of Austria’s recreation against North Macedonia, for which he obtained a one particular-match ban from UEFA.
There have been also unproven allegations towards Arnautovic racially abusing an opponent although at Twente in 2009, which the participant himself denied in a social media publish and have under no circumstances been substantiated.
The Athletic noted that a amount of Person Utd lovers even emailed United and chief govt Richard Arnold right imploring the club not to indicator Arnautovic.
In addition to these grievances, the broad vast majority of Man Utd fans – as properly as opposition supporters – overtly mocked the club for striving to indication Arnautovic.
The consensus was that United should not be hoping to signal a previous West Ham veteran who was plying his trade for a mid-table Serie A aspect – and someone who was participating in in China just over a year in the past.
Marko Arnautovic scores his 5th goal in opening 5 matches of the Serie A & is now the stand-by itself top goalscorer in Italy’s top flight.
— Nima Tavallaey Roodsari (@NimaTavRood) September 4, 2022
Arnautovic on hearth this season
Having said that, Arnautovic has silenced the critics so significantly this season – at least from a sporting level of view.
He has scored 5 goals in his first 5 game titles for a frankly abysmal Bologna side, solitary-handedly maintaining them out of the relegation zone.
This tally of goals will make him the top-scorer in Serie A, and he was at his good very best on Sunday afternoon as he struck twice in the 2-2 attract at Spezia.
Amazingly, Arnautovic had scored as numerous goals as the total Manchester United squad put together in 2022-23 prior to their match versus Arsenal on Sunday.
United commenced daily life under new manager Erik ten Hag abysmally with a 2-1 home reduction to Brighton and 4- thumping at Brentford. They have recovered because with a 2- get over Liverpool and 1- victory at X, but the beginning of the season has been characterised by a incredibly toothless assault.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been demoted to the bench, even though Ten Hag lacks any other all-natural amount nine.
United took on Arsenal on Sunday, with new €100m signing Antony setting up on the right wing. United lovers will be hoping the Brazilian can deliver the spark that has been missing in assault consequently considerably.
Arnautovic unquestionably could have delivered much more than we have found till now from United’s number nines.
