Monaco showed that their first-leg goalscoring antics against Manchester City were no fluke, putting another three goals past Pep Guardiola’s side to advance to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
With Leonardo Jardim’s side flourishing, those watching from home paid them their dues throughout started plotting which of their players they could coax away from Stade Louis II.
And, while Arsenal fans decided scout Gilles Grimandi was there to watch goalscorer Kylian Mbappé, Manchester United fans had their eyes set on another member of the Monaco starting XI.
3 – Fabinho has had a hand in three goals in two Champions League apps versus Man City this season (one goal, two assists). Thorn.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 15, 2017
Fabinho had been linked with the Red Devils over the summer, so much so that the vacant number two shirt was seen by some as a sign that he was all but a United player.
The all-action Brazilian can play at right-back or in the centre of midfield, from where he popped up with the goal which looked for a long time like it would prove decisive.
While Leroy Sané responded to Fabinho’s strike to give City the upper hand, that advantage lasted only a few minutes, with a late header from Tiemoué Bakayoko sending the Ligue 1 team into the last eight.
But by then we’d already seen plenty of this sort of thing.
Fabinho would be a great shout to replace Carrick for MUFC. Monaco are an excellent team to watch. Fast and furious on the attack.
— Kev McGhee (@Kev7McGhee) March 15, 2017
Fabinho would be perfect for united! #rantheshow #UCL #MUFC
— Tom McLean (@tommclean88) March 15, 2017
Fabinho, Herrera & Pogba. Make me dream Jose.
— MUFC_Jay (@JaydnMUFC) March 15, 2017
But wait, we hear you say. They’re Manchester United, why do they have to stop at one Monaco player?
And we’re not even counting Anthony Martial, who arrived from the principality in 2015.
https://twitter.com/JustinLi_/status/842113623006842880
https://twitter.com/JdotJames123/status/842111433391366151
Bid £100m for Mbappe & Fabinho and let's retake our crown. #MUFC.
— MUFC_Jay (@JaydnMUFC) March 15, 2017
In fact, do they even have to stop at two?
Interview for United Director of Football:
"What are your transfer plans?"
Me: *shines laser at PowerPoint reading BUY ALL MONACO'S PLAYERS*— OSullivanMUFC (@OSullivanMUFC) March 15, 2017
