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Danny Murphy can see Manchester United trying to sign up Cole Palmer as Bruno Fernandes' long-term successor and admits the attacking midfielder's reported affiliation with the Reds Devils could help them land him.

Speculation over the future of Fernandes, 31, is rife again less than 12 months after the Portugal international rebuffed advances from the Saudi Pro League to remain at Old Trafford. Mirror Football revealed earlier this week that he is considering his next move, with the midfielder likely to have no shortage of suitors at the end of the season.

Suggestions that Palmer is currently unsettled at Chelsea has coincided with the latest rumblings over Fernandes' position. And with Palmer being a boyhood United fan, it's even been claimed he would 'welcome' interest from them.

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Murphy doesn't think it would be easy to strike a deal for Palmer, pointing to the fact that he is under contract at Stamford Bridge until 2033. He does, though, admit his link with United could help things line up.

When he was asked if Chelsea had to qualify for the Champions League to keep hold of Palmer, Murphy told BestBettingSites.co.uk: "No, because they’ve got him under a long-term contract, so they can keep him either way. But qualifying for the Champions League would make it much easier to quieten the noise around other clubs trying to get him.

"It would definitely help. This season hasn’t been as fruitful as he’d like because of injuries and getting back to form. He’s had this nagging thigh or groin problem, whatever it is. But he’s a special player.

"The way football works, if you’re a player of that quality and you’ve always had a love for a particular club, it’s not a huge stretch to imagine things lining up. Especially if United were to go on a run. A lot of Chelsea fans think the club is more of a business than a football project, so could I see Cole Palmer leaving for Manchester United? Yes, I could.

"I wouldn’t want it to happen, but I could see it. Bruno Fernandes needs a successor. He’ll get through the groin problem. He’ll be fine."

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