BRUNO FERNANDES “lacked tactics and intensity” in his early 20s and few backed the now-Manchester United hero to succeed, a former team-mate claims.
Ex-Italy keeper Emiliano Viviano, who was with Fernandes at Sampdoria and then Sporting Lisbon, says the Portugal midfielder initially struggled with the Serie A side.
Bruno Fernandes is now perhaps the first name on the Man Utd teamsheet and a Premier League superstar but had a shaky time in ItalyCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Ex-Udinese and Sampdoria midfielder Bruno Fernandes had all the ability while in Italy but was tactically naive, according to Emiliano VivianoCredit: Getty Images – Getty
And as Fernandes, 26, prepares for United’s home clash with PSG tonight, Viviano told TMW Radio: “I was one of the few who supported him.
“Bruno has always had everything, only that he arrived in Italy and he lacked tactics and intensity.
“He learned it and now it has exploded, also because he has everything: right, left, technique but also an incredible run.
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“He is a technical leader, which Manchester United perhaps lacked.”
Fernandes has been a stand-out performer ever since his £45million arrival at Old Ttrafford from Sporting in January.
And his goal in Sunday’s 3-2 comeback win at Southampton made him only the fourth United player to net in five successive Premier League away games.
That’s particularly impressive when you consider the other three are legendary frontmen – Ruud van Nistelrooy, Robin van Persie and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
So it all makes 35-year-old Viviano’s verdict more stunning.
Fernandes moved to Italian side Novara from Boavista as a youth prospect before joining Serie A side Udinese in 2013, and then on to Sampdoria three years later.
He moved back to Portugal in 2017 when he joined Lisbon giants Sporting.
Viviano was a Sampdoria regular while Fernandes was there but failed to make the first team when he too moved to Sporting, in 2018.
He also missed out on first-team football while on loan with Arsenal from Palermo in 2013-14 and is now with top-flight Turks Karagümrükspor.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
