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This article is part of Football FanCast's Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news...

According to The Daily Mirror, Manchester United have no interest in making a double swoop for Sporting CP's Bruno Fernandes and Lille's Nicolas Pepe this summer amid speculation of potential moves for the pair.

What's the word?

The report claims that the Red Devils feel clubs have used the side's desire to strengthen their squad this summer as a way of hiking up the prices of players they want to sell.

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It adds that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side are not interested in either Fernandes or Pepe and that the constant rumours surrounding the duo potentially joining United has begun to "irritate" the Red Devils.

A public battle

One of the biggest issues that his blighted United's summer transfer window this summer has simply been that every club in Europe is aware of the Manchester side's desire to sign players. It puts the Red Devils at a distinct disadvantage as selling clubs know that the club are desperate for new signings and know they can use that to their own benefit.

The Daily Mirror's claim that there is a suspicion amongst the club hierarchy's that agents and clubs are trying to use speculation to increase the asking price of players certainly feels like it has a lot of weight to it. United have been linked with what feels like every player on the planet, and yet they have only managed to sign two this summer.

Fernandes and Pepe are fine footballers, but are they the kind of signings that United feel is a priority? The moves for Harry Maguire and Sean Longstaff feel more in line with the supposed thinking at the club to sign young, British players, and a major contrast to the kind of European bidding war you would expect with a swoop for either Fernandes or Pepe.

As the transfer window deadline inches ever closer, The Daily Mirror's report certainly raises the need to take rumours with a pinch of salt and a touch of caution.