MANCHESTER UNITED star Bruno Fernandes confessed he must do “much, much better” to justify comparisons with Eric Cantona.
The Portuguese midfielder changed the course of United’s season after arriving from Sporting Lisbon for £55million in January.
Bruno Fernandes reckons he is not at Eric Cantona’s level just yetCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Eric Cantona was an icon during his time at Old TraffordCredit: PA:Press Association
The 25-year-old had 15 goal involvements – eight goals and seven assists – in just 14 Premier League appearances as United soared into third place.
His dazzling displays have led United legends to make comparisons with former players who have had similarly huge impacts at Old Trafford.
Ex-Red Devil Phil Neville told Premier League Productions: “Cantona? [Wayne] Rooney when he came in?
“You talk about the great Manchester United players that have been brought in, Cantona probably had the biggest influence of all-time.
“You think now that United have gone a long time without winning a league title, at the moment he’s [Fernandes] lit up the whole place.”
Paul Scholes believes Fernandes has the quality United need and is capable of emulating Cantona as a No10.
In April, Scholes told BBC Radio 5 Live: “He’s great on the ball, he’s always on the half turn. He’s that link that United really, really needed.
“They lacked that bit of quality from midfield into the forward players.
“He’s got real quality, he can feed the ball into players. He’s got a great shot on him.
“He looks like a leader as well, which is something United have lacked.
“Whether he can play as a two in midfield, that’s yet to be seen. He looks like an out and out No10, possibly like a Cantona, a Dwight Yorke, a Teddy Sheringham, something of that ilk.
“But he can beat players as well. He’s quick, he’s got skill and he can strike a ball. Somebody with this talent was sadly missing at Old Trafford.”
Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes drew comparisons between Fernandes and CantonaCredit: Getty – Contributor
Former Welsh wing wizard Ryan Giggs saw an element of Cantona in Fernandes’ performance against Tottenham in June.
One particular pass from the midfielder into Anthony Martial caught the Wales manager’s attention.
As reported by The Express, he said: “That was the pass of the night.
“Firstly, everyone’s expecting him to shoot.
“The awareness with the sharp turn, then the little disguise, that’s Cantona, for me.
“Even the little passes and ten-yard passes were brilliant.”
United’s No10 scored from the spot on that occasion against Spurs after Paul Pogba jinked into the box to win the penalty.
The two superstar midfielders have formed a destructive “Brogba” partnership in the middle of the park.
But despite his success, scoring 11 goals in all competitions, Fernandes played down links to French maverick Cantona.
At a press conference before tonight’s Europa League semi-final against Sevilla, he said: “For me it is really good to talk about those names.
“But for me Cantona was an amazing player for the club, but I need to do much, much better to be compared to him.
“For me coming to Manchester is about winning trophies. I will be happy if we win the Europa League.”
Fernandes has been particularly lethal from 12 yards as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have been awarded a staggering 21 pens in 2019-20.
Incredibly, SEVEN of his goals have come from the dead ball situation.
Fernandes changed his trademark hop style but still converted in extra time to help United scrape past Copenhagen to make it to tonight’s semi-final.
Manchester United through to Europa League semi-finals after Bruno Fernandes nets Red Devils’ ‘21st penalty of the season’ in extra time versus impressive F.C. Copenhagen side
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
