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If the 2-0 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion wasn’t sign enough that Manchester United needed new players, then the embarrassing 4-0 loss against Brentford emphasised it tenfold.

Erik ten Hag, taking the blame for the result, has made it clear on numerous occasions that he wants reinforcements sooner rather than later, with midfield and attack areas that he feels require better footballers.

Frenkie de Jong continues to be touted as the main man desired at Old Trafford, but Manchester United’s chase of Adrien Rabiot suggests the Dutchman’s arrival remains a pipe dream for the time being.

Still, signing the Frenchman has been a tad trickier than anticipated, despite Juventus and the Red Devils reportedly reaching an agreement on the price early on.

Contract talks are the reason behind the delay, as explained by Corriere dello Sport, who remain somewhat optimistic of a deal going through.

They claim on Monday that Rabiot is ‘ever closer to Manchester United’, with ‘another meeting’ taking place on Sunday between the Red Devils brass and the player’s entourage.

However, ‘the distance from the request of mother Véronique must be reduced’.

As for the clubs, both are ‘hoping for a quick white smoke’, as Manchester United want a new player, and Juventus want to get rid of the Frenchman to make room for Paris Saint-Germain’s Leandro Paredes.