The Portuguese playmaker has been linked with the English side for the past two transfer windows, and his signing does not seem to be closing in.

Just when things seemed to be falling in place for Bruno Fernandes' transfer to Manchester United, one of Sporting's bosses has stepped up to stop all the transfer talk surrounding the Os Leoes star.

Assistant coach Emanuel Ferro stepped up to reveal how he believes the player is not interested in leaving the Portuguese saide, even if reports on the contrary suggest the player is desperate to leave Sporting.

"There is a lot of talk about him leaving. I believe that outside people feel this more than us. We don't feel it," Ferro told Portuguese newspaper A Bola.

The playmaker has been involved in 15 goals for the green and white side this season, scoring eight times and handing out seven assists in 16 Primeira Liga matches. He has also scored five goals and handed out three assists in five Europa League games.

With that in mind, Ferro added that he does not believe Fernandes' future will cross paths with Manchester United's anytime soon.

"We don't feel Bruno's thinking about leaving. He is competitive and involved," the assistant coach concluded.

Manchester United had made the signing of a playmaker one of their top priorities, with Fernandes being right at the top of their wishlist. However, the team's need for a striker and Fernandes' apparent unavailability may see them look elsewhere before the transfer window shuts down.