MANCHESTER UNITED will revive their interest in long-term target Bruno Fernandes in January, according to reports.
Boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has prioritised signing a new creative central midfielder this month with Paul Pogba’s United career seemingly over.
Sporting Lisbon star Fernandes was on the club’s radar throughout the summer with a club involved in a transfer tug-of-war with Tottenham.
The 25-year-old was so close to joining the Premier League that he had already said his goodbyes to supporters during a pre-season game against Valencia.
Fernandes, who has six goals and seven assists in 14 league appearances this season, ended up signing a new bumper deal at Sporting that included an 85million release clause.
According to Goal, it won’t deter United’s Norwegian boss from making another attempt to lure him to Old Trafford if he receives the financial backing of the board.
Solskjaer has seen midfielder Scott McTominay suffer a knee injury that will keep him out “for a few months” while team-mate Pogba needs ankle surgery.
United may be put off by Fernandes’ recent comments that suggested he would have preferred a move to Spurs over the Theatre of Dreams.
Fernandes said: “In the summer I thought I could leave. I believed it was a good time to leave due to many factors. I made the best time of my career to date.
“After the Nations League, there were already many contacts, especially with Tottenham.
“It was the team that wanted me the most and was the only one I agreed to talk with, because there were other clubs that didn’t interest me or whose project was not up to my expectations.
“Tottenham fit into everything I wish I had at that moment. It is an appealing championship.
“Knowing that Tottenham would be willing to pay for me and make every possible effort to take me, leaves a player eager to take that step.”
