Youssouf Fofana was the one who decided against joining Premier League giants Manchester United in the summer as he 'believes in the project' at AS Monaco.

During a hectic deadline day at Old Trafford, Fabrizio Romano took to X to report that the Red Devils had submitted a bid to sign Monaco's France international on loan. It was, Romano adds, an offer which did not go down particularly well with the Monegasques, unwilling and always unlikely to let a PS30 million asset go without guarantees over payment.

A few months down the line, however, Monaco's sporting director is keen to shed more light on the situation.

The player rather than the club, he says, deserves 'most of the credit', Thiago Scuro claiming that - contrary to reports - it was very much Youssouf Fofana's decision to rebuff Manchester United's advances.

"He has big ambitions with the French team and AS Monaco."

Manchester United would eventually conclude a deal to bring in Sofyan Amrabat on an initial short-term deal instead. There can be no debate, however, about which of the two midfielders has enjoyed a better start to the new season, Amrabat yet to recapture his dazzling form from Qatar 2022 while Fofana goes from strength to strength across the Channel.

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The Paris-born enforcer, renowned for his ball-carrying ability, scored with long-range strikes in both of France's games during the November international break, almost sending the net into orbit with a rocket of a hit against Greece.

Paul Mitchell knows France star well Whether Manchester United renew their interest remains to be seen. But, with the futures of Casemiro and Amrabat uncertain, not to mention those of Christain Eriksen and Scott McTominay, it certainly won't be a surprise to see Fofana return on Ten Hag's radar.

Especially if United hire Scuro's Monaco predecessor Paul Mitchell as their new director of football following the confirmation of Sir Jim Ratcliffe's 25 per cent takeover.