Man United eyeing 'questionable' characters as Man City and Liverpool comparison made

It comes as Marko Arnautovic and Adrien Rabiot, two contentious figures, continue to be linked with moves to Old Trafford.

Questions linger over the attitude of Arnautovic, who developed a reputation as a temperamental player during his Premier League stints at Stoke and West Ham.

The Austrian forced exits at both clubs and found himself in hot water for racial slurs towards Ezgjan Alioski and Egzon Bejtulai during a Euro 2020 match against North Macedonia, for which he apologised.

Rabiot, meanwhile, has made headlines for all the wrong reasons throughout his time at Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus.

The France midfielder is not considered a popular figure among teammates - and his mother, who represents him, has sparked several arguments with managers and directors.

United fans expressed their displeasure towards the running of the club during the 2-1 defeat to Brighton in the opening game of the Premier League season.

Many believe the Red Devils are crying out for reinforcements, but Arnautovic and Rabiot are not the headline signings supporters want.

Foster, who spent five years at Man United, believes the two transfer targets show why the Red Devils have fallen behind City and Liverpool.

"The characters, I don't know them personally, but from the back of the papers and little things you hear along the way… Rabiot might have some behavioural problems," he said.

"Arnautovic is famous in the Premier League for being a bit of a stroppy one at times. Again, look at the players who play for Liverpool and Man City, you never hear anything from them.

"They just go to work, get the job done and go home. That's it. Those players are worth their weight in gold."

Foster added: "Both of the players that are linked, they are both a plug in the hole, a stop gap.

"You look at the likes of Liverpool and Man City, they seem to be doing it properly.

"They get their transfer dealings done early doors. Yet again with Man United, it just rumbles on.

"It constantly seems to be the same story, year after year.

"These older players they're constantly trying to buy… it started with Ibrahimovic a few years ago, then Cavani and Ighalo.

"It's the sort of thing you just wouldn't see Man City or Liverpool doing. That's what's scary if you're a Man United fan."