Manchester United Transfer News: Latest Rumours, Top Stars Linked to Red Devils

Manchester United could renew their interest in Paris Saint-Germain attacker Lucas Moura after the Red Devils missed out on his signature when he joined the Ligue 1 champions from Sao Paulo.

French newspaper L’Equipe (Will Giles of Metro) reported Moura almost moved to Old Trafford after passing a medical in 2012 but opted for a £31.6 million transfer to PSG instead, to the disappointment of former coach Sir Alex Ferguson. The newspaper claims United could target the Brazilian again, with the 23-year-old confined to a substitute role at the Parc des Princes.

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The forward was considered one of his country's most promising talents as a teenager, triggering his big-money move to European football, but he hasn't developed into the world star many believed he would. 

The capture of Angel Di Maria from United has squeezed Lucas' playing time for manager Laurent Blanc's starting XI, but the player continues to show his talents in a reduced super-sub role.

Moura has featured 16 times for PSG this season—six times from the bench—in Ligue 1 and Europe, scoring four times, according to WhoScored.com.

The winger was recently in fine fettle for PSG against Toulouse in the French league, scoring in their 5-0 demolition of the relegation candidates, and told the club's official website after the final whistle he was delighted to have taken his opportunity:

"

I'm very happy with the win and secondly to have come on and help my team. It's never easy watching from the sidelines, so when I came on, I wanted to make the most of it. I'm still young, and I improve every day playing alongside such quality players. Another header? It's important to score. Are Paris already champions? No, not yet, but if we keep playing like this, we will be soon. Our aim is to make history by not losing a match this season.

"

United are desperate to add pace to their forward line after once again firing blanks in the Champions League against PSV Eindhoven at Old Trafford. Coach Louis van Gaal watched on as his team stuttered in midfield, unable to sufficiently hurt the Dutch champions in a game they should have been capable of winning, instead posting a tepid goalless draw.

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Wayne Rooney has come under increasing pressure after failing in United's attack, and former captain Roy Keane singled out the England record goalscorer against PSV, speaking to ITV (h/t Matt Morlidge of MailOnline):

"

Wayne [Rooney] was on about lack of composure and quality, but I think he was as guilty as anybody. He needs to step up to the plate. You look at Wayne's legacy at Old Trafford, it's absolutely fantastic. His goals record is brilliant. But now he's the captain there's more responsibility and I think he's got to do a lot more.

[...]

He doesn't look sharp, he looks awful. Mentally he doesn't look really sharp, physically he doesn't look in great shape. He needs to have a look at himself.

"

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As Anthony Martial continues to make the No. 9 role his own at United, Lucas would add the ammunition that Rooney currently does not. If PSG win the race to sign Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid, per the Telegraph's Jason Burt, Lucas could become surplus to requirements for Blanc, opening up the potential for a switch to the Premier League. 

CR7 has morphed into a No. 9 over the years and would be expected to replace Zlatan Ibrahimovic's position if the Swedish icon moves away from the French capital, but he would be an automatic starter for PSG—and would limit Lucas' growth and status. 

However, United also believe they can sign the Portuguese hero if he becomes available in the coming months, with the Manchester Evening News' James Robson reporting the Red Devils are confident their "global appeal" could tempt CR7 to return to his former stomping ground, prompting United chief Ed Woodward to recently tell investors on the New York Stock Exchange: “We believe the impact on player profiles around the world by joining Manchester United is very powerful.”

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Ronaldo would excite every United supporter if he opts to make an emotional return to Old Trafford, but Lucas would also allow LvG to apply an increased fluidity to his attack in future.

United have no confidence in the final third as they crawl into opposition territory, but the additions of Moura or Ronaldo would change the dynamic for the north-west superclub. 

Lucas still has the potential to become a genuine world-class winger for club and country, and the Theatre of Dreams would be the perfect stage for the player as United crave a new attacking hero.