Steer clear of former Liverpool man, claims ex-Manchester United striker

Manchester United should steer clear of signing former Liverpool attacker Coutinho from Barcelona, according to former United frontman Dimitar Berbatov. 

Coutinho is currently on loan at defending Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, but is unlikely to play for the Bavarian side again due to an ankle injury. 

Barcelona are willing to sell the Brazilian this summer and it has seen Coutinho linked with a Premier League return. 

United are one of those courting the 27-year-old, as are Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham, and while Coutinho is still held in high regard, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side should avoid pushing to sign the Brazil international as they have ample midfield talent according to Berbatov. 

"There have been a lot of Premier League clubs linked with him, Arsenal, Chelsea, Newcastle and even Manchester United, but sometimes the obvious choice isn’t always the correct one," Berbatov wrote for Betfair. 

"Everyone thought he would do great when he moved to Barcelona but it didn’t work out, sometimes you need to step back to go forwards. 

"He will go to a good team there is no question about that, but he needs the trust of a manager to believe in him and make him the main man so that he can play calm and be free to do what he does. 

"Other people will see him linked with a move to United and they will point out his connections with Liverpool and how he would never be forgiven if he switched to Old Trafford, but honestly, United don’t need him right now. 

"Bruno Fernandes is a very similar player; he really hit the ground running and looks to be a very promising signing so I don’t think there would be any point in United signing him. 

"Pogba is coming back, Fernandes is there, McTominay is producing great football as well, they have enough quality there so signing Coutinho would be pointless."