"On fire" - Man United fans react as failed transfer target Marko Arnautovic becomes Serie A top scorer

One of the more bizarre transfer links of the summer came when Manchester United were looking into the possibility of signing Marko Arnautovic.

Rather than just hearsay, there was genuine interest from United's end in recruiting the former West Ham and Stoke man. Erik ten Hag wanted to sign him as he believed the 33-year-old was a pragmatic, short-term option to support his starting forwards. Ten Hag also thought Arnautovic was an ideal character for a dressing room still struggling for self-belief.

The move quickly fell through after a huge backlash from supporters, coupled with Bologna's valuation for the player. When quizzed about the episode, Arnautovic said recently: "I've been in the world of football for many years and I know there could be clubs interested during the transfer window, but now I am focused on Bologna."

Read more:United should have three transfer targets for 2023

And he has stayed true to his word with the Austrian now sitting top of the Serie A goalscoring charts. The forward has five goals in as many games.

It has led to tongue-in-cheek suggestions that United should have pursued the deal rather than pull the plug. Here is what some fans have been saying on social media...

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