I didn't had this name on my mind. Whole summer. A bit surprise i was.
But if it's true Ten Hag want him. I think it is for the ability to control, dictate, calm on the ball against aggresive pressure. Set and speed up the tempo of build up and attack/speed up the passing from the deep. And ability to make run forward with the ball. Not only passing. Like Frenkie De Jong. But clearly not on Frenkie De Jong level.
But without Frenkie De Jong and the question about if James Garner has a really close to top and top 4 level. Rabiot become the alternative cm option. The one that dictate from the deep.
That is what Rabiot is good at. His clearly football ability.
That was the football skill. But the mentality. If he has the top mentality too. He can turn out to be a really good player for United. But i do not know Rabiot in person or following him closely as football player.
But again. Isolate football skill. He is above all of United current cm player. I haven't seen James Garner for and against a top level team yet. Fred, McTom, Savage, Zidane, DVB. Rabiot overall football skill is above those players. Only Garner i saw few minutes in pre season.
Line up with Rabiot can be like this in a 433 formation:
Eriksen - Rabiot/Fred/Garner - Bruno/Rabiot + Sanho - Martial/Ronaldo - Rashford
In the end. It depend on his price and wage too. The total packet. But again. Football skill isolate. I believe and convince he will help and lift United. In the build up play and attack. The creative part of game.