The transfer generator has today spat out Manchester United and Miralem Pjanic. The two names have previous – LVG’s side apparently chased him last summer – and, if suggestions are to be believed, he’s back on their agenda for the looing transfer window.

A set-piece wizard and a creative influence in midfield, the 25-year-old is highly rated, but his addition appears to make little sense, especially as he’s valued at £37m by Roma.

We at FFC Towers think the playmaker is a bullet to dodge, and here are FIVE reasons why…

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Herrera shining

Ander Herrera was signed for a lot of money last season, he’s endured a difficult adaptation period, but is now looking like the player Manchester United chased for so long. What sort of message would it send to the Spaniard if he were ‘replaced’ this summer?

Pjanic operates in a deeper midfield role, and with Michael Carrick likely to be kept in by LVG thanks to his metronomic passing, the Bosnian would be in direct competition with Herrera. In truth, both are similar in terms of approach, so why spend another £37m?

Hasn’t been setting the world alight…

For a player performing for a top side in Serie A with a reputation for helping out in the final third, Pjanic’s output hasn’t been amazing this season. Passing accuracy of 90% is impressive but just six assists from this and only four goals from 2075 minutes shows that he’s not really been doing it at the top end. United need players who can contribute and Pjanic may well get swallowed up by the pressure.

A lot of money

Building on from the last point, £37m is a lot of money. Even if Manchester United are one of the richest clubs on the planet, are back in the champions league (it’s likely to happen) and are able to generate massive amounts of revenue from TV rights, sponsorship and their global profile, lashing £37m away on a relatively unproven and unneeded talent is not entirely wise.

Defence more of an issue

Van Gaal appears to have struck a good balance in midfield and attack, but the one area that he’s not fully addressed is the back third, in which the Red Devils have been dodgy all season. The majority of their budget should be spent on sealing the cracks that plagued the opening half of the campaign, with players such as Mats Hummels needed to add authority, while Nathaniel Clyne would provide a more reliable right-back option that Antonio Valencia.

How many Italian imports have succeeded in England?

It may be a bit of a sweeping statement, but Italian imports rarely thrive in England. Okay, Pjanic is Bosnian, but he’s spent a lot of his time in Serie A, adapting to a different style of football. Typically, the brand on show in Italy is slower paced, less physical and more focused on methodical attacking, which allows midfielders more time and space on the ball.

Pjanic’s style is very much based on this, with the 25-year-old a decent passer of the ball. But could he do it in the hustle and bustle of a Premier League game? Alberto Aquilani – a similar mould of midfielder who also shone at Roma - certainly couldn’t at Liverpool…