Erik ten Hag wanted 'nasty' Marko Arnautovic at Manchester United and more transfer rumours

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag reportedly wanted the club to sign forward Marko Arnautovic in the summer transfer window as he liked his 'nasty' traits.

According to The Athletic, the Dutchman - who worked with the Bologna attacker during his time at FC Twente - thought Arnautovic possessed certain traits that would have helped his dressing room. The report claims that the term 'nasty b*****d' was mentioned, in a complimentary way'.

United had a bid of £7.6m rejected for Arnautovic, with several former United players and supporters privately expressing concerns about the potential transfer.

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The club were expected to return with am improved offer for the 33-year-old, but ultimately decided to move on to other targets - with Antony arriving from Ajax late in the window.

Elsewhere, The Athletic also report that Ten Hag was the key influence in United deciding to sell talented youngster James Garner to Everton on transfer deadline day.

It is claimed that the United boss quickly decided that 21-year-old Garner was not good enough to start regularly for the club this season, despite the midfielder impressing on loan with Nottingham Forest last season as Steve Cooper's side secured promotion to the Premier League after winning the Championship play-off final.

United sold Garner to the Toffees in a deal worth £15m, with the Englishman signing a four-year deal at Goodison Park, which runs until the summer of 2026.

Garner, who joined the club's academy at U8 level, made his first-team debut in February 2019 at the age of 17, coming on as a substitute against Crystal Palace.

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