Manchester United move was close last year, claims Anwar El Ghazi
Dutch forward Anwar El Ghazi has claimed that he almost joined Manchester United last year.
The former Aston Villa man was a free agent last summer after leaving PSV. United were exploring options up front both centrally and outwide at the time and intensified their search after a rift opened up between manager Erik ten Hag and Jadon Sancho.
The Netherlands international had this to say about his almost move to United:
“It was true we were in talks [United and I] but there was nothing concrete. I was a free agent after leaving PSV and they were struggling to find wingers. They were exploring the market. It was close but unfortunately it didn’t go through.”
El Ghazi on United links last year, as quoted by the Manchester Evening News
El Ghazi ultimately joined German Bundesliga club Mainz in September last year but had his contract terminated a little over a month later over a social media post he put out in support of Palestine, which he then refused to back away from despite pressure from the club.
The 29-year-old has been without a club ever since.
El Ghazi would not have been half bad for United
A former Ajax player himself, it can expected that El Ghazi would be known to Ten Hag better than many other players.
The Dutch manager had issues with Sancho regarding his effort; that’s one thing you could not fault El Ghazi for.
Given United’s injury issues and the performances by the likes of Antony, it’s hard to imagine a scenario in which El Ghazi, if he arrived at United, would not have made a positive contribution to the team, even though it can be safely assumed that his move would not have been cheered by the United fans too vociferously.
Additionally, it’s hard to imagine United would have taken as drastic a stance over his social media support for Palestine like Mainz did. After all, United have seen it before.
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One has to assume El Ghazi has been out of professional football for reasons beyond his geopolitical opinions. Notably, he recently featured in a charity match organised to raise funds for the children of Gaza.
