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Rio Ferdinand has told Manchester United they do not need to consider signing Philippe Coutinho amid reports linking him with a move.

Coutinho is being heavily tipped for a return to the Premier League after failing to replicate his Liverpool form in Catalonia.

The 27-year-old left Liverpool in January 2018 but failed to establish himself at Barcelona and is spending this season on loan at Bayern Munich.

Reports in Spain suggest Barcelona will look to sell Coutinho at the end of the season but Ferdinand believes the January arrival of Bruno Fernandes, coupled with United's historic rivalry with Liverpool, means Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should pass on the Brazilian.

"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 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 percent. People like Kane, Dele, Son 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 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.”