Man Utd become frustrated over Bruno Fernandes chase as Marcel Keizer hints Sporting Lisbon captain could leave

Sporting Lisbon have confirmed Bruno Fernandes’ availability – but Manchester United are becoming increasingly irritated by attempts to drive up the price of the midfielder.

The Portugal international has been on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s radar all summer, with United weighing up whether to launch a formal bid.

But Sporting’s hopes of cashing in on their £56million-rated captain could be jeopardised by attempts to create a bidding war.

It’s believed United feel their interest is being used to attract more suitors for Fernandes, who has already stated his desire to move to the Premier League.

He certainly enhanced his reputation on Wednesday night when scoring in Sporting’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool in New York.

In Pictures | Liverpool vs Sporting Lisbon | 25/07/2019

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And his coach Marcel Keizer did little to kill speculation over his future afterwards, saying: “Everybody would like him to say.

"The situation is that he is here, but we don’t know what the future will bring.

“We know he plays very well, we know that clubs like him, so we have to see what happens.

“The job of the coach is to realise that some players will go before the end of the window. Every player can go, and we can also buy players.”

Solskjaer wants to add at least one midfielder before the transfer window closes, with Sean Longstaff also a target.

But his priority remains Harry Maguire. While United are refusing to meet Leicester’s £90m valuation of the England international, talks are continuing.

And Solskjaer has given the clearest indication he will not walk away from the centre-back, despite negotiations proving difficult.

With just two weeks until the transfer deadline, the Norwegian is eager to bring in at least two more players.

Speaking ahead of the International Champions Cup game against Tottenham here in Shanghai on Thursday he said: “We’ve got to be patient. It’s a long haul and it’s very important we get the right ones in.

“So we can’t just jump on a different path when the hit a hurdle. I’ve not had a frustrating feeling at all.

“Of course when we’re working on something that means that we have identified something that could improve us.”

In Pictures | Man Utd vs Inter Milan | 20/07/2019

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