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Fabinho: "I was never close to signing for Manchester United"

Fabinho
© Reuters
New Liverpool midfielder Fabinho insists that joining Manchester United before putting pen to paper with the Reds "was never a strong possibility".

Fabinho has stressed that he was only ever interested in joining Liverpool from Monaco this summer, despite Manchester United also being hot on his heels.

The Brazil international signed a four-year contract at Anfield in May after a fee of close to £44m was agreed between the two clubs.

Liverpool appeared to snare Fabinho before Premier League rivals United could get a deal over the line, with the Red Devils repeatedly linked over the past couple of windows.

Despite conversations with United previously taking place, the 24-year-old insists that Merseyside was always his favoured destination once Liverpool stepped forward with an offer.

"I was never close to signing for Manchester United, no," he told FourFourTwo. "I heard things said about it, but the truth is it was never a strong possibility.

"I won't deny there were a few conversations about my situation with Monaco, but there was never an official offer from United. As soon as Liverpool declared their interest in signing me, it was a simple decision to make.

"A club with Liverpool's history wants you? Come on, you just pack your bags and go. It will be an honour to wear the famous red shirt."

Fabinho made 225 appearances for Monaco over a five-year stay, scoring 29 goals from a deep starting position in midfield.

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2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1585229151429
4Manchester CityMan City158342721627
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Brentford157263128323
10Fulham156542220223
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155551921-220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton143561421-714
16Leicester CityLeicester153572130-914
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich151681427-139
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1523102338-159
20Southampton1512121131-205


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