Former Man Utd defender Rio Ferdinand says “only Lionel Messi is above” Red Devils midfielder Bruno Fernandes as a chance creator.
The Portugal international has ten goals and ten assists in 49 matches in all competitions this season for Man Utd as they look to compete on all fronts.
Man Utd have already won the League Cup this season and are currently third in the Premier League, while they have a chance of more silverware with Erik ten Hag leading them to the FA Cup semi-finals and the Europa League quarter-finals.
Fernandes produced an excellent performance against Nottingham Forest as Man Utd won 2-0 at the City Ground to put them six points ahead of fifth-placed Tottenham with a game in hand.
And Ferdinand has likened his creativity to Paris Saint-Germain superstar Messi and reckons the Man Utd midfielder will only get better when Cristian Eriksen returns the side.
Ferdinand said on his Vibe with Five YouTube channel: “His passing, he’s creating chances. His stats, only Messi rivals him in terms of goal involvements since he signed for United.
“I’m not saying he is on Messi’s level, no one is saying that Bruno is on Messi’s level, he’s not, that’s obvious. But only Messi is above him in those stats.
“He needs Eriksen to go to that other level. Eriksen, the amount of easy passes he makes that are just great for team-mates.”
Ferdinand has not been the only Man Utd legend vocal in their praise for Fernandes over the last couple of days with Roy Keane praising him as a “brilliant player”.
Keane said on Sky Sports: “Brilliant, I really think he’s a brilliant player, he’ll be disappointed he didn’t obviously score, but his quality of his balls into the box – if you’re a striker it’s a dream, you make some runs and he picks you out.
“Plenty of time today, he’s got a good relationship obviously with [Christian] Eriksen and all the guys around him. I just think he’s pure quality.”
Keane has been critical of Fernandes’ body language and attitude during matches in the past and he acknowledged that in his praise.
The former Man Utd midfielder added: “I know we criticise him when United don’t win football matches. He’s two steps ahead in terms of his quality and the picture he has on the football pitch. I think the guy’s pure quality.
“He’ll be disappointed again he hasn’t scored but great day for him, very comfortable.”
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