Manchester United took too long to complete the signing of Bruno Fernandes, claims former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp. Fernandes joined United from Sporting Lisbon for an initial £46.6million in January. The Red Devils were linked with the 25-year-old last summer and then again for the majority of the January window, until finally confirming the signing a day before deadline day.
Fernandes has made an immediate impact at Old Trafford, scoring three goals in his first seven appearances ahead of Sunday’s match at home to rivals Manchester City.
Redknapp is a huge fan of the midfielder and says he has brought the creativity United desperately needed.
But he has also questioned why it took United chiefs so long to get a deal over the line.
“Absolutely [Fernandes is what United have been missing],” Redknapp said on Sky Sports.
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“Class, quality, runs the game, organises people as well. Normally when a player comes to a club it takes a few months for them to settle down.
“He’s brilliant at it, he points people in the right direction, he’s a leader, genuinely good footballer.
“I remember playing against Roy and what struck me when I played against him wasn’t just that he was a good player, [but] the way that he organised people, the way he spoke to people, not always nice I must admit, but you were always talking to people, and that’s what [Fernandes] does.
“I watch him, until you come to a game live and you physically see him organising people, moving them around.
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“He’s almost like the manager on the pitch and for such a young player to be doing that, he’s a brilliant signing.
“A signing they had to make, when they were umming and ahing about getting him into the club – ridiculous.
“Look at the impact he’s made already.”
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was full of praise for Fernandes this week but admits fans cannot expect him to perform like he has every time he steps onto the pitch.
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“He’s definitely raised everybody; players, staff and supporters because he’s given us a big boost by his performances,” Solskjaer told NBC Sports.
“We can’t demand or expect him to continue like this. Of course, we hope so.
“I can’t see any reason why not but sometimes it just clicks for you early on and you hit a difficult patch.
“But he’s the type of lad who will get through that because he loves football.
“He’s old fashioned: ‘I know everything about football, I love football, I don’t care about money, I just want to win’.
“It’s been a big boost for everyone.”
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