Did Man United reject chance to sign Joao Felix? Report claims club snubbed ‘new Ronaldo’ as they wanted someone like Mo Salah

Manchester United reportedly had the chance to sign Joao Felix in the summer.

However, the Old Trafford hierarchy are claimed to have had reservations about the 19-year-old’s propensity to play in the English top-flight.

Felix moved to Atletico Madrid this summer, after the Spanish side met the £113million release clause in his Benfica contract,

The Portugal international – who has been dubbed ‘the new Cristiano Ronaldo’ – has had a solid start to his Atletico career, as he looks to fill the void left by Antoine Griezmann’s move to Barcelona.

According to The Athletic, Felix could well have been a United player had they followed up their interest.

Click Here: Spain Football Shop

Representatives from the Red Devils are said to have spoken with Benfica chiefs on ‘multiple occasions’ in the summer over a deal.

But United eventually pulled the plug, as they had concerns over whether or not had the physical capacity to play in the Premier League.

In fact, there were even fears he could prove to be a one-season sensation like Michael Ricketts, who won an England cap before his quickly career tailed off, with United instead looking to land a consistent attacking performer such as Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah.

One ‘well-placed source’ quoted in The Athletic said: “Michael Ricketts was a world-beater for one season.

“The secret is to find someone like Mohamed Salah, who plays brilliantly one season, then the following year, and the year after that.”

At this point in the negotiations, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was believed to have thought Alexis Sanchez could come good after his 18-month nightmare.

But alongside Romelu Lukaku, the former Arsenal striker is now plying his trade on loan at Inter Milan.