Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has said that the Red Devils should pass up the opportunity to sign Philippe Coutinho from Barcelona during this summer’s transfer window.
The Brazil international is currently on a season-long loan at Bayern Munich, having failed to make a strong impression at the Camp Nou following his move from Liverpool two years ago.
Bayern are likely to turn down the option to sign him on a permanent basis this summer and this has recently spread the speculation that United could be in the running to secure his services.
However, Ferdinand does not believe United need to recruit Coutinho, particularly with January signing Bruno Fernandes having impressed with his performances in the number 10 role.
“At Liverpool he was an amazing player, but since he left Liverpool he hasn’t really done it yet. I would have said Man United before Bruno Fernandes turned up, but not now,” he told in a Q & A session on Instagram as relayed by Metro.
Meanwhile, the 41-year-old added that the fierce rivalry between United and Liverpool is another reason as to why he would want the Red Devils to avoid making an approach for the 27-year-old.
“Would he be a good addition, yes? Not Man United though, and he played for Liverpool so it is a difficult one. The rivalry is mad,” he further told.
Coutinho has generally preferred to play in the number 10 position but over the years, he has made more number of appearances on the left side of the attack for the likes of Liverpool, Barcelona and Bayern.
Fernandes has already established himself in the attacking midfield role for United and the same has been the case on the left wing, where Marcus Rashford has been the undisputed choice under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer when fit.
Hence, Coutinho is unlikely to command a starting role from either of those positions and it seems worthwhile for United to invest on someone like Jadon Sancho, who is a specialist on the right wing unlike the Brazilian.
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