Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was asked if potential new signing Bruno Fernandes could make his debut at the weekend against Wolves, providing the move goes ahead as hoped.
The Sporting Lisbon captain is set to discuss personal terms and have a medical in Manchester after the two clubs confirmed a deal has been agreed on Wednesday.
Although there is still work to be done to finalise the transfer, the question was posed to the boss during his press conference, following the 1-0 win at Manchester City in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg.
The Blues won 3-2 on aggregate to reach the final, where they will face Aston Villa.
With goalscorer Nemanja Matic now suspended for our fourth meeting with Wolves of the season, after being sent off at the Etihad Stadium, it led to a question about whether Fernandes will replace him in the XI.
“Let’s get the contract signed and medical done but the boy is fit and ready to play, I would presume,”
said Ole. “Let’s see if we can get it done tomorrow.”
When also quizzed on whether he would like to add another striker before the deadline, he replied: “I’m not sure. I know we need more goals.
”I know, if we get Bruno over the line, he’ll score and create. Let’s talk on Friday [the last day of the transfer window].“
If he completes the move, midfielder Fernandes would be eligible to play in the Europa League, despite already representing Sporting Lisbon in the competition.
Following the match with Wolves, a 17:30 GMT kick-off at Old Trafford on Saturday, there is our first-ever winter break, before we resume action at Chelsea on 17 February.
The Premier League match at Everton on Sunday can also now be confirmed as taking place on 1 March at 14:00 GMT.
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