GARY NEVILLE believes Manchester United are “awful” without Bruno Fernandes – and revealed he feels sorry for new signing Donny van de Beek.
The Dutch international has struggled to kick-start his Red Devils career since his £39million switch from Ajax, having made just two league starts.
Bruno Fernandes, left, inspired Manchester United’s terrific comebackCredit: EPA
He was given the nod against West Ham but was sacrificed at half-time with United trailing 1-0 following a woeful team showing.
Fernandes, who started on the bench to rest him for Tuesday’s crucial Champions League encounter with RB Leipzig, was introduced in his place and inspired a dramatic turnaround as United ran out 3-1 winners.
And reacting to Fernandes coming to the rescue, Neville said: “It’s not one Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would have thought about this morning.
“He would’ve gone to Bruno and said ‘I’m going to leave you for Leipzig, I’m going to leave you for the Manchester derby’, but he would’ve said at half-time: ‘I’m sorry I need you we’re not very good without you.’
“And that’s just a fact, without him they’re just not the same team.
“I feel a bit sorry for Van der Beek. He’s the one who has been sacrificed out of midfield but it could have been any of them, all three of them in the first half were awful.”
Fernandes created eight chances against West Ham – more than anyone else has managed in a single game all season despite playing just 45 minutes.
He has also been directly involved in 36 goals in 38 games in all competitions since making his debut for the club.
Donny van de Beek was hooked off at half-time against West HamCredit: Reuters
And he looks set to be rewarded for his fine form with a new double-your-money contract.
Although there are no immediate talks arranged, United top brass plan to hold talks with the Portuguese star in the new year, and agree fresh terms by the end of the season.
It is likely to involve a small extension on the length of his current contract, and will see his wages rocket to around £200,000.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
