PHIL NEVILLE believes Bruno Fernandes is as good as Manchester United legends Wayne Rooney and Eric Cantona.
But he reckons the Portuguese ace has worse teammates that his predecessors.
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Phil Neville reckons Bruno Fernandes ranks among the best-ever Man Utd players – but has worse teammatesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Fernandes scored twice and set up a third goal as United came from behind to beat Everton 3-1 at Goodison Park yesterday.
He already has six goals and five assists to his name this season.
And Fernandes arguably carried Ole Gunner Solskjaer’s team to a Champions League finish last term, bagging eight goals and seven assists in just 14 league games following a £47million move from Sporting Lisbon at the start of the year.
Despite coming under fire last month for a drop in form, Fernandes proved the doubters wrong with his man-of-the-match performance against the Toffees.
And United icon Neville is adamant that Fernandes is on the same level as two other ex-Old Trafford legends, Rooney and Cantona.
But he feels Fernandes faces a tougher task to be at that level consistently as he’s playing in a United team with far less quality.
Neville told Premier League Productions: “Since Fernandes joined the club I don’t think he’s had a dip yet.
“You thought after his first initial goals, assists and impact that he made, you thought ‘Where’s that dip coming? Can he do it in the second season? He’s doing it even better.
Neville believes Fernandes is as good as ex-skipper Wayne RooneyCredit: Getty – Contributor
Neville puts Fernandes alongside Old Trafford great CantonaCredit: PA:Press Association
“When he speaks, he speaks like a Manchester United player, he speaks like a Manchester United captain, he speaks like a leader, he speaks like someone who wants to win. I think he’s a special player.
“You’ve seen players that have come to Manchester United over the last probably 10, 15 years, I don’t think anyone has had as big an impact in such a short space of time as him.
“Maybe Rooney, maybe Cantona, those types of names, I think he’s had a similar impact too.
“His stats, his goals, his assists, his performances. Rooney came in and scored a hat-trick in his first game, Cantona comes in, puts his collar up and says ‘I’m a Manchester United plater’.
“That type of impact he’s had, even in a team that probably isn’t as good as that team Rooney and Cantona played in.”
Bruno Fernandes makes Ole Gunnar smile as he trains with Man Utd squad
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
