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Therefore, a loan move for Felix should not be considered unrealistic. The versatile forward has struggled for regular opportunities at Atletico Madrid this season, often being restricted to cameo roles off the bench, and there has been plenty of speculation to suggest that the Spanish giants would be prepared to let him go.
United are in desperate need of adding a fresh source of goals to their ranks and Felix, despite having only scored 15 times since the start of last season for Atletico, could add a freshness to Erik ten Hag’s attacking options. If Felix was to secure a loan move to Old Trafford next month, he would link up with fellow Portugal internationals Diogo Dalot and Fernandes.
The latter has previously waxed lyrical about the attacker, singing his praises ahead of United’s Champions League last-16 showdown with Atletico last season. Fernandes hit back at the criticism Felix was facing at the time, backing him to live up to expectation and “reach a level that few others can.
I don’t know what the problem is, I know that Joao has a lot of quality and great potential, he’s very young,” said Fernandes, speaking in February this year. “Sometimes we forget his age and don’t understand that he’s in a growth phase.
“When Atletico bought him he had barely done six months at Benfica, it shows the quality of the player, because not many clubs can afford that, and there were several clubs interested. His quality has to be used for the team.
“We all know what Diego Simeone is asking for, but he can also defend. I think he needs freedom, but I can’t comment much on that. From what I saw at Benfica, he’s a player who can reach a level that few others can. He has all the possible qualities to reach it.
He will do it at Atletico or elsewhere. I don’t speak about football with him. I don’t think that among us players we should talk about football.
He’s a very good guy and has a lot of quality. At Atletico or elsewhere, he will succeed because of the good head he has on his shoulders.”
