Manchester United have reignited their interest in Sporting Lisbon midfielder Bruno Fernandes, according to reports in the English media.

The Red Devils have been focusing their efforts on trying to sign Tottenham’s Christian Eriksen and Leicester’s James Maddison this month but neither player is likely to be moving to Old Trafford.

It is anticipated that Eriksen will move in a cut-price deal to Inter Milan while Leicester won’t allow Maddison to leave before the end of the season.

With United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer very keen for the club to strengthen the midfield this January, it is meant that they have once again been looking at Fernandes.

The 25-year-old only signed a new contract two months ago, which has included a €100m (£85m) release clause, but the Red Devils are confident of getting him for a much lower amount.

Fernandes has been in decent form this campaign, having scored 13 goals and contributed 13 assists in 24 matches for Sporting.