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Rio Ferdinand has urged Man Utd not to join the transfer race for ex-Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho.

The Brazilian has been linked with a return to the Premier League after difficult spells at Barcelona and on loan at Bayern Munich.

Coutinho's dream move to Barca has not gone according to plan, and he has failed to convince Bayern to take up their option to sign him permanently from the Spanish giants.

That has alerted some of the Premier League elite, as Liverpool look unlikely to make a move for their former player.

And while Ferdinand rates Coutinho highly, he feels United do not need his talents.

(Image: Getty Images)

"At Liverpool he was an amazing player, but since he left Liverpool he hasn’t really done it yet," Ferdinand said in an Instagram Q&A on Monday. "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. 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."

Arsenal and Chelsea are both said to be keeping tabs on the 27-year-old, but Ferdinand thinks Tottenham could be a better option.

(Image: Getty Images)

"Would he improve Spurs? Yes he would, 100 percent," he added. "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 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 [Man] City, Liverpool, not any teams like that."

Despite Ferdinand claiming United no longer require a player of Coutinho's ilk, it's hard not to feel he would be a certain starter at Old Trafford.

But the former United defender feels there is one crucial obstacle also standing in the way of a potential transfer.

"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."