MANCHESTER UNITED’S pursuit of Bruno Fernandes has collapsed after the two clubs officially failed to compromise on a transfer fee.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is in desperate need of a creative superstar in the middle of the park – and Fernandes ticked every box.
But with just one week left of the January window, the Red Devils boss will have to get his act together and find someone else.
With that in mind, we’ve taken a look at five Fernandes alternatives for Man Utd…
PHILIPPE COUTINHO
A FORMER Liverpool star at Old Trafford? It’s certainly controversial.
But Barcelona don’t want the Brazilian “Little Magician” back after his loan at Bayern Munich – which could be cut short.
And it’s fair to say Coutinho is just the creative attacking midfielder missing from this United team.
A solid passer, great runner on the ball, superb vision and a cracking right foot, to boot – could he make that fateful trip to the old enemy?
CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN
THE Tottenham man has long been on the radar of Man Utd – with Jose Mourinho and Solskjaer both having kept tabs on the Danish star.
Eriksen has long been keen to get out of North London, with Inter Milan though to be on the brink of signing him on the cheap.
But with the clubs failing to agree on a figure, Solskjaer would be wise to consider a late swoop and gazump the Serie A stars this month.
JUDE BELLINGHAM
TIPPED for a 30million move to Old Trafford, the Birmingham youngster, 16, is certainly one for the future.
The Blues ace has been thriving in the Championship this season and while it would be a big step up, he can’t be much worse than United’s current midfield.
Chalk this season up as a learning curve, give Bellingham the experience he needs and United may have a ready-made star for 2020-21.
JAMES MADDISON
ARGUABLY the best option on the list, Leicester star Maddison is the creative force United so crave.
Great on the ball, boasting great vision and with a super shot on him, the England international would slot straight into that No10 spot.
What’s the alternative? Andreas Pereira or Jesse Lingard. It’s a no-brainer, even if it costs around 60.
JACK GREALISH
THE long-running debate will be reignited here… Maddison or Grealish?
Both are putting up elite numbers this season and both are vying for a spot in England’s Euro 2020 squad.
Grealish leads the Premier League – by some distance, too – in fouls won, proving he’s not shy of running at defenders.
That is something United certainly need…
