Man Utd's suspicions over Bruno Fernandes & Nicolas Pepe transfer links (Mirror)

Manchester United suspect clubs are using their efforts to strengthen Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's squad to ramp up interest in players they are trying to sell.

United have been linked to Lille winger Nicolas Pepe and Sporting Lisbon's free-scoring midfielder Bruno Fernandes in recent weeks.

Both are rated in the £70million-plus bracket by their clubs.

But Old Trafford bosses have NOT made a move for either player and have no interest in taking them to Manchester.

The constant speculation about Pepe and Fernandes has started to “irritate” United.

And there is now a suspicion at the club that unscrupulous agents and clubs are trying to use the speculation to ramp up the asking fee.

Pepe was also linked with Liverpool earlier this summer, forcing sporting director Michael Edwards to reach out to Lille to confirm the Reds had zero interest.

Arsenal and Everton are believed to be interested but reports in France earlier this week suggested United had made an approach, that had been rejected by Lille.

Portuguese midfielder Fernandes has admitted his interest in moving to the Premier League, with United tipped to try and lure him to Old Trafford.

But Solskjaer is keen on Sean Longstaff as an alternative and is expected to make a move for the Newcastle midfielder.

United also want to bring in a central defender with Harry Maguire remaining their top target.

Leicester have rejected two bids for the England international as they hold out for between £80m-£90m.

Maguire scored against Cambridge on Tuesday night and Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers insisted no club had got anywhere near their valuation.