Queens Park Rangers boss Harry Redknapp believes that Manchester United are looking to sign Cesc Fabregas to replace Wayne Rooney at the club.
The Red Devils are believed to have put in a bid for the Barcelona midfielder, but reports suggest that the Catalan side are unwilling to allow the Spain international to leave.
However, there doubts about the future of Rooney at Old Trafford with Chelsea linked with the striker, which could allow manager David Moyes to splash the cash to land Fabregas.
Redknapp wrote in his column in The Sun: "A lot of people have wondered if signing Fabregas would have any effect on keeping Wayne Rooney at Old Trafford but I don't see any link there.
"There may be that there is no way back for Rooney and the club now. This could well explain why United are making such a big play for Fabregas.
"They are desperately short in that area of the pitch — and losing Rooney would leave a big hole for United to fill. Fabregas is a big name — and he could fill it."
United are currently on their pre-season tour of Australia, but chief executive Ed Woodward has reportedly left the side to conduct transfer business.
