A Dispute Cost Him Manchester United: Adel Taarabt Recalls the Day Ferguson Came to Watch Him
Adel Taarabt recounts how an altercation with a teammate is said to have derailed his transfer to Manchester United. Sir Alex Ferguson had come specifically to watch the Moroccan, who was then at the peak of his abilities with Queens Park Rangers.
The former Moroccan international revisited the episode in an interview published this Thursday, September 10, by talkSPORT. Manchester United were seriously interested in him at the time, and Sir Alex Ferguson was monitoring his performances with QPR.
Everything changed on January 29, 2011, on the pitch at Hull City. Frustrated during the match, Taarabt argued with his teammate Shaun Derry and even asked his manager to substitute him. Neil Warnock refused, and the Moroccan stayed on the pitch in the match, which ended in a draw (0-0).
On Bladi.net : Benfica’s Adel Taarabt Reflects on Career Ups and Downs, Including Near-Miss PSG Transfer
According to Taarabt, Ferguson had come to watch him play that day. The scene obviously did not give the legendary Scottish manager the impression he had hoped for from the player he was considering signing.
Manchester United Give Up on Taarabt
Neil Warnock had in fact confirmed as early as 2011 that Manchester United had sent representatives to watch Taarabt during that match. After the game, the QPR manager believed that his player’s behavior had probably ended his chances of joining the Red Devils.
The episode is all the more memorable because Taarabt was then enjoying the best season of his career. In 2010-2011, the Moroccan scored 19 goals and provided 16 assists in the Championship, playing a major role in QPR’s promotion to the Premier League.
Manchester United were not the only English giants pursuing him. Taarabt also claims that Arsène Wenger wanted to sign him for Arsenal. He ultimately preferred to stay at QPR, where his salary was better and where he was guaranteed regular playing time.
It would not be his only missed transfer in England. A few years later, his former teammate Darren Bent would reveal that Taarabt had also turned down Liverpool to remain living in London.
On Bladi.net : Former Premier League Star Taarabt Rejected Liverpool Move to Stay in London’s Shisha Scene
At 37, Adel Taarabt has just brought his professional career to an end. A career spent notably with Tottenham, QPR, AC Milan, Benfica and the United Arab Emirates, with several missed opportunities that, fifteen years later, continue to fuel his legend.
