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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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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool18143145172845
2Arsenal19116238172139
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1911442619737
4Chelsea19105438231535
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle1995532211132
6Manchester CityMan City199463226631
7Bournemouth198652923630
8Fulham197842825329
9Aston Villa198562831-329
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton196942928127
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1973941281324
12Brentford197393335-224
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham196582335-1223
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd196492126-522
15Crystal Palace194872027-720
16Everton183871524-917
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1944113142-1116
18Ipswich TownIpswich1936101833-1515
19Leicester CityLeicester1935112242-2014
20Southampton1913151239-276


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