Rabiot, from Manchester United move to Juventus ‘leader’

Adrien Rabiot considers himself a ‘leader’ at Juventus, despite nearly leaving over the summer for Manchester United, and hails the ‘unity’ that helped them beat Inter 2-0.

The Bianconeri didn’t have a single shot on goal in the first half, but found the breakthrough with a couple of rapid Filip Kostic counter-attacks, finished off by Rabiot and Nicolò Fagioli.

Danilo also had the ball in the back of the net with an acrobatic volley from a corner, but that was disallowed for handball using VAR.

Rabiot has now scored five goals in his last nine games for Juve, as many as in the previous 104 matches.

“There is determination, the hunger we all have. We had some difficulties, but now we are out of that with great expectations, including tonight, and there is only unity,” Rabiot told DAZN.

“We suffer when we have to, but we have real determination to do everything for our teammates, to not let go until the final whistle, and we saw that this evening.”

There were still nine players out injured this evening, including Dusan Vlahovic, Leandro Paredes and Paul Pogba.

“We need everyone, the youngsters and the older figures, the important thing is that we are all united, including with the staff and the medical staff. People outside say things about the injured players, that they don’t want to play to risk it before the World Cup, but none of that is true.”

Rabiot had been on the verge of an exit this summer, that only collapsed when his mother – and agent – put Manchester United off with his salary demands, yet he is now one of the pillars of that Juventus midfield.

“After four years, I do consider myself a leader on the field. I think you don’t need to say too much in the locker room, but must communicate on the pitch.”

This result allows Juve to leapfrog Inter in the table and go into fifth place alongside Roma, only four behind second-placed Milan.