Manchester United signed Bruno Fernandes in the January transfer window of 2020 and since then he has been a vital part of the team.
The Portuguese midfielder has scored 49 goals and registered 38 assists in 113 games for United and is the team's key creator and one of their main goal threats.
But while alongside Paul Pogba and Jadon Sancho, Fernandes has solved the team's creativity problem, United now have an issue when it comes to the other end of the midfield, and more so the player that occupies the number six position for them.
Scott McTominay has been the main choice in the absence of a more natural defensive midfielder under Ralf Rangnick but it is clear that United will have to upgrade the position in the summer. Declan Rice and Aurelien Tchouameni have both been linked as potential transfer targets but it seems that every top club in Europe is keeping tabs on the duo and as a result, they won't come cheap.
So if this is the case United may have to consider other options and this could mean returning to Sporting again for another one of their stars.
Joao Palhinha has been a crucial part of both Sporting's league and European form this season and is a good friend of Fernandes.
The Portuguese midfielder has actually fared better than Fernandes since the latter's move to Old Trafford, winning the Liga NOS title under Ruben Amorim.
Portuguese outlet Record has stated that Palhinha would be available for around £25m in the summer, with fellow Premier League clubs Wolves and Tottenham Hotspur also interested in the 26-year-old's services.
He also has some interest from abroad but in an interview in 2020, he said: "Given my characteristics and the recognition I give to all European leagues, the English championship was the one that I would most like and where I see myself playing the most.
"Obviously, I have that dream and goal, because we all recognise the value of the English league, like others, but I am not obsessed with it."
But he was also clear where his priorities lie while he remains at Sporting, saying: "I want to do a good job at Sporting, evolve as a player, play as many games as possible for the club. For the rest, it’s about letting things happen."
If United can tap into the partnership that Palhinha already has with Fernandes and supplement that with the quality of Paul Pogba or whoever United replace him with, the team will have a solid midfield trio to build their team around.
United fans have clear preferred names in mind when it comes to what will be a pivotal addition in the summer but if they are beaten to Rice and/or Tchouameni by the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Real Madrid, the alternatives of Palhinha and maybe even Boubacar Kamara will still be a significant upgrade on their current options of McTominay and an ageing Nemanja Matic.
If Rangnick moves to work alongside John Murtough in the summer, these are the sort of cost-effective deals fans should expect (and hope) to see more of to solve some of United's long-standing issues.
Would you be happy with a move for Joao Palhinha in the summer? Follow our United On My Mind writer Casey Evans on Twitter and get involved in the discussion in the comments section below.
