Rio Ferdinand admits he’s disappointed Man Utd failed to seal Bruno Fernandes transfer
MANCHESTER UNITED legend Rio Ferdinand admitted he was left disappointed the club didn't sign midfielder Bruno Fernandes this summer.
In many media outlets it was reported that it was practically a done deal to bring the 24-year-old in from Sporting Lisbon.
But a move failed to materialise to either Old Trafford or to Tottenham, who were also believed to be tracking the Portuguese international.
And Ferdinand thinks United might live to regret not pushing for the transfer - but is happy to have Ole Gunnar Solskjaer trusting his current crop.
Speaking on BT Sport, the former United captain said: "I love the fact that he’s invested his belief on [Marcus] Rashford and [Anthony] Martial by getting rid of [Romelu] Lukaku.
"I was surprised he didn’t go into the midfielder area. I would have loved the idea of Bruno Fernandes.
FERNANDES' GROVELLING APOLOGY
"He must be looking to rekindle Paul Pogba’s form. They need to have a performance against Chelsea that shows they are on the right track."
Old Trafford chiefs failed to meet the £63m asking price for Fernandes this summer.
Sporting then rejected a £55m bid from Tottenham again sticking with their valuation, and the North London side turned their attention to Real Betis' Giovani Lo Celso.
With a mega-money move to the Premier League further away than ever Fernandes was captured on video training with his Lisbon team-mates.
It comes after the midfielder offered a grovelling apology to Sporting fans after his side were thrashed by Benfica in the Portuguese Super Cup on Tuesday.
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The in demand playmaker was left in tears on the pitch following the 5-0 mauling in the annual showdown.
Fernandes, Sporting's captain, even had objects launched in his direction as he looked to be departing for England.
But after United paid a record £85m for defender Harry Maguire, they looked unable to find the cash for the Portuguese international.