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Rio Ferdinand has warned Manchester United against making a summer transfer move for Barcelona misfit Philippe Coutinho.

United and their Premier League rivals have been put on alert over Coutinho after Barcelona made clear their desire to send the former Liverpool midfielder out on loan again next season.

The Brazilian playmaker has failed to live up to expectations since his £142million move from Anfield two years ago.

He has been linked with a move to the Premier League once his loan spell at Bayern Munich ends this summer, and has also been linked with Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham as well as United.

Former United defender Ferdinand described Coutinho as "a huge talent" and said a Premier League move would be good for the 27-year-old.

(Image: Bongarts/Getty Images)

But he doesn't believe the Brazilian would improve his former club.

"At Liverpool he was an amazing player, but since he left Liverpool he hasn't really done it yet," Ferdinand said during a Q&A on his official Instagram page.

"He struggled at Barcelona, struggled to fit in there and then he hasn't done amazingly well at Bayern.

"I think he is a great player, a huge talent, I think he needs saving.

(Image: Getty Images)

"Coming into the Premier League to the right team would be a saviour for him - he needs that.

"I would have said Man United before Bruno Fernandes turned up, but not now."

Ferdinand also questioned whether Arsenal would be the right move for Coutinho, saying Tottenham would be a better fit.

"Would he improve Spurs? Yes he would, 100%. People like [Harry] Kane, Dele [Alli], Son {Heung-min] etc. all feed off someone like him," said Ferdinand.

(Image: Action Images via Reuters)

"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."