AS Monaco star reveals why he rejected Manchester United move

It is no secret that Manchester United have been looking for a new centre-back for quite some time now. The Red Devils shelled out a world record £80 million a couple of summers back to bring Harry Maguire to Old Trafford but that has not been nearly enough to fix their issues at the back.

As a result, the club now appear to be looking for a defensive partner for Maguire at the heart of defence. And while they did not end up signing one in the previous summer transfer window, it looks like that was not for a lack of trying.

United appear to have had earmarked AS Monaco’s 19-year-old Benoit Badiashile as the man to solve their problems. And it is not hard to see why. The French defender has developed impressively and is already a regular for Ligue 1 side, having made 25 appearances for them this season.

And while speaking with RMC (as reported by Metro), he revealed that he had turned down an offer to move to Old Trafford in the previous summer transfer window:

"‘It was the right choice, first off is I have not enjoyed good seasons since I have been at Monaco.’‘We played to stay up and so now I am really experiencing the top of the table and I think that continuing with the club that formed me was the right decision and this is being proved by the season that we are having.’"

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Manchester United had tried to sign Badiashile in the summer

Manchester United’s offer is believed to have been around £22 million. But to be honest, Badiashile has justified his decision till now. Staying at Monaco has provided him the chance to play in the first-team on a regular basis and develop as a top level footballer.

At just 19 years of age, he is a regular for a Ligue 1 side that currently sits at fourth and is challenging for a Champions League. That is quite a feat for someone of his age, and it is safe to say that if he decides to leave in the future, there won’t be a lack of suitors for his signature.

On the other hand, Manchester United have continued to struggle at the back, which has cost them valuable points in a number of close games, allowing Manchester City to create a large gap at the top of the Premier League table.