Manchester United have 'accelerated talks' with Adrien Rabiot due to Fred and Scott McTominay's underwhelming performances during the season-opening defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.
The Red Devils entered a new era during the summer, with Erik ten Hag being appointed as the club's new boss, and a move for Rabiot is on the cards.
GiveMeSport Transfer Update With Dean Jones
What's the latest news involving Rabiot?
Rabiot is facing an uncertain future at Juventus, having entered the final 12 months of his £175,000-per-week contract with the Italian giants.
But Manchester United have offered the central midfielder a route out of the Allianz Stadium and, according to The Guardian, a deal worth an initial £15million has been agreed.
The report suggests that Juventus are happy to sell the 29-cap France international, but approval will be required from Rabiot's agent and mother, Veronique, before a deal can be rubber-stamped.
A switch to Old Trafford appears to be edging closer as transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Manchester United director John Murtough has scheduled a meeting with the former Paris Saint-Germain star's representatives in Turin.
Rabiot moved to the top of ten Hag's shortlist of targets after it became clear that Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong is not interested in joining the Red Devils.
What has Dean Jones said about Rabiot?
Jones believes that Manchester United's lacklustre display against Brighton was a key example of why ten Hag needs to draft in a new central midfielder.
The transfer insider feels Fred and McTominay's respective performances resulted in the Red Devils doubling down in their efforts to sign Rabiot.
Jones told GIVEMESPORT: "I think the main lesson that he could have learnt is that, apart from the fact that you don't play Christian Erikson as a number nine, Fred and McTominay have to have competition.
"That's probably why they've accelerated the Rabiot talks on the back of it."
What would Rabiot add to Manchester United's midfield?
Rabiot has made 129 appearances since joining the Italian giants on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain three years ago.
The 27-year-old has won three pieces of silverware with his current employers, having already enjoyed a trophy-laden spell in his homeland, so it is clear that he would bring a winning mentality to Old Trafford.
Having suffered a 2-1 defeat to Brighton last weekend, ten Hag will know that he needs to add further reinforcements to his squad ahead of the September 1 transfer deadline, and Rabiot could be a shrewd addition.