Manchester United have Bruno Fernandes advantage to secure Ralf Rangnick's priority transfer

Manchester United signed Bruno Fernandes in the January transfer window of 2020 and since then he has been a vital part of the team.

The Portuguese midfielder has scored 49 goals and registered 38 assists in 113 games for United and is the team's key creator and one of their main goal threats.

But while alongside Paul Pogba and Jadon Sancho, Fernandes has solved the team's creativity problem, United now have an issue when it comes to the other end of the midfield, and more so the player that occupies the number six position for them.

Scott McTominay has been the main choice in the absence of a more natural defensive midfielder under Ralf Rangnick but it is clear that United will have to upgrade the position in the summer. Declan Rice and Aurelien Tchouameni have both been linked as potential transfer targets but it seems that every top club in Europe is keeping tabs on the duo and as a result, they won't come cheap.

So if this is the case United may have to consider other options and this could mean returning to Sporting again for another one of their stars.

Joao Palhinha has been a crucial part of both Sporting's league and European form this season and is a good friend of Fernandes.

The Portuguese midfielder has actually fared better than Fernandes since the latter's move to Old Trafford, winning the Liga NOS title under Ruben Amorim.

Portuguese outlet Record has stated that Palhinha would be available for around £25m in the summer, with fellow Premier League clubs Wolves and Tottenham Hotspur also interested in the 26-year-old's services.

He also has some interest from abroad but in an interview in 2020, he said: "Given my characteristics and the recognition I give to all European leagues, the English