Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has warned his former club against making a move for Philippe Coutinho this summer.
The 27-year-old's future beyond the end of the current campaign looks uncertain with Bayern Munich, where he is currently on loan from Barcelona, unlikely to make his deal permanent.
Coutinho is deemed surplus to requirements at his parent club following an underwhelming 18-month stay at Camp Nou following his £143m switch from Liverpool in 2018.
A return to the Premier League has been touted, with United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur all credited with an interest, and while Ferdinand believes that he has the ability to shine in England once again, he claimed that the January signing of Bruno Fernandes means that United no longer need a player like Coutinho.
"At Liverpool he was an amazing player, but since he left Liverpool he hasn't really done it yet. He struggled at Barcelona, struggled to fit in there and then he hasn't done amazingly well at Bayern," Ferdinand said during a Q&A on his official Instagram page.
"I think he is a great player, a huge talent, I think he needs saving. Coming into the Premier League to the right team would be a savour for him, he needs that. I would have said Man United before Bruno Fernandes turned up, but not now. Would he improve Spurs? Yes he would, 100%. People like [Harry] Kane, Dele [Alli], Son [Heung-min] etc. all feed off someone like him.
"I think he would be a great addition to Spurs' squad. Arsenal he would definitely improve them, but where does he play in their system? They've got [Mesut] Ozil. I like Ozil if he is played well.
"Barely any team can afford him where he would fit in. He wouldn't fit into City, Liverpool, not any teams like that. 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."
Coutinho has been in and out of the Bayern team so far this season, scoring nine goals and creating eight more in 32 appearances.
Barney Corkhill
