Shay Given Urges Man Utd to Sign Jack Grealish as Bruno Fernandes Backup

Shay Given has urged Manchester United to maintain their pursuit of Jack Grealish despite their fine form of late, if for no other reason than to provide backup for the in-form Bruno Fernandes.

Seven goals and six assists in just ten Premier League matches has seen United's investment on Fernandes appear like the bargain of the century. His influence on the side as a whole has been so significant that the previously tracked Grealish may no longer be a necessity, especially given his rumoured £80m price tag.

Interest from United in the Aston Villa captain has supposedly cooled recently as a result in that upturn in performances and results, but former Villan Given does not think that the Red Devils should be dissuaded in signing the Englishman just yet.

"We talk about Fernandes and the impact he's had, you couldn't pick 11 United players and not have him in the team, that's how good he's been,' Given told Stadium Astro. "Where would Jack play? Maybe off the left or off the right.

"But I think Jack's strongest position is as a No 10. Even [Liverpool manager] Jurgen Klopp has said that about Jack's qualities, that's where he seems his best position. But Fernandes is in that position as well and Pogba can also play that position. They've got a number of players who can play there.

"But if they're back in the Champions League then there's so many games and so many players will be needed for so many games at the top level. Fernandes is a young enough player as well but I don't think he can play every single game. Maybe Ole's looking at rotating the squad a bit and getting Jack into the team."

90min revealed back in June that United's interest was concrete, and the outcome of Villa's season would impact their next move. Should the club be relegated, then his fee would drop, making any potential transfer an easier - and cheaper - proposition.

Given weighed in on the rumours with his own take, claiming that there is 'no smoke without fire': "We don't know for definite if it's going to happen but my understanding is that I think it might happen because there's so much talk about it.

"There's so much press and media about Jack joining, there's no smoke without fire. There must be something in the pipeline that he could be joining United. I've no clue where the fee's going to be but I do think he's good enough to play for a club like United. He wouldn't look out of place in that team."

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