Adrien Rabiot and a short spell at Manchester City that ended suddenly

Adrien Rabiot looks as if he is on his way to Manchester to sign for United. If things had turned out differently, the Frenchman could have been the poster boy for a new era on the other side of town but he managed less than a year in City’s academy as a teenager.

In 2008, a City scout spotted a young Rabiot playing for Créteil in France. City sent representatives to speak with the then 13-year-old Rabiot, who was close to joining Paris Saint-Germain, and his mother, Veronique. Her desire to leave the country meant she was happy to be persuaded by City to move to Manchester and help her son realise his dreams.

The young Frenchman, along with his brother, attended St James’ Catholic High School in Cheadle, where they were placed by the club. Rabiot enjoyed life in Manchester on and off the pitch, quickly learning English and impressing at City under the tutelage of Paul Power, whether he was played on the left or in central midfield. City were optimistic they had signed a top prospect who had the potential to play for their first team. Rabiot was not self-confident, however, and City staff had to build him up and convince the player how good he was.

“We liked him very much,” says the former City academy manager Jim Cassell. “It’s always a risk because we are going back to 2008. City were coming away from their very low point of the early 2000s, we were progressing very nicely. It was a new venture attracting boys from further afield. He had a magnificent left foot. It’s unfair to compare him with Arnold Mühren but he was that type of player; not the quickest but a beautiful left foot, could pass it short, could pass it long.”

Adrien Rabiot a passé 6 mois en formation à Manchester City en 2008 à l'âge de 13 ans !via