Marko Arnautovic: Why he has been linked with Man Utd and where he would fit in

Manchester United lost their opening Premier League game of the new season as Erik ten Hag’s tenure began with defeat to Brighton at Old Trafford.

Before the final whistle, reports began to surface the club had highlighted Bologna forward Marko Arnautovic as a potential signing.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look at Arnautovic’s career to date and what the 33-year-old Austria international can bring to Old Trafford.

Arnautovic began his playing career at FC Twente, eventually playing under the management team of Steve McClaren and his assistant, Ten Hag.

On being appointed as United boss, Ten Hag brought McClaren back to Old Trafford as one of his right-hand men. The pair have therefore both experienced working with Arnautovic and must have been suitably impressed.

The forward hit 14 goals in 59 appearances for Twente before making a loan move to Inter Milan for the 2009-10 season.

If Arnautovic had caught the eye of Ten Hag in Holland, the same could not be said for his disappointing stint in Italy.

Inter had tried to land him on a permanent deal before a loan move with future options was agreed – but Jose Mourinho, then in charge at the San Siro, did not like what he saw. He was quoted as calling Arnautovic “unmanageable” and with “the mentality of a child”.

Having made just three appearances in Serie A and without scoring a goal, Arnautovic headed next to Werder Bremen, where he would spend the next four years.

Mark Hughes signed Arnautovic for Stoke in the summer of 2013 for a fee reported to be as little as £2million. His first goal for the Potters came in defeat to Manchester United and he would become a firm favourite during his four years in Staffordshire.

While he was in and out of the side initially, he