How Bruno Fernandes has surpassed Zlatan Ibrahimovic at Man Utd

There can be absolutely no doubting Bruno Fernandes' impact at Manchester United.

His January arrival from Sporting Lisbon coincided with United's best run of form this season. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has regularly lauded his impact, with United's output in terms of goals and assists boosted hugely by the Portuguese playmaker and the side going 11 games unbeaten before the coronavirus spread forced English football to halt for at least three weeks.

Fernandes has spoken about how Solskjaer asks for "perfection in training". And the stats from his first nine games at United, in which he has been involved in seven goals (three goals and four assists), mean the Norwegian is almost getting that perfection.

Those numbers put Fernandes level with Robin van Persie's first nine games for United, as a measure of the success he's been as a signing. It's also more goal contributions than Zlatan Ibrahimovic — another instant attacking hit at Old Trafford — could manage.

When you factor in how Fernandes has boosted United's overall play, not just their goal numbers, they are impressive figures for the attacking midfielder.

Fernandes' challenge, if and when the league resumes, will be to keep his level up.

"I think the coach is always important for a new player when you come in," he said on working with Solskjaer.

"With me, it was really important because you need to feel confidence from the other side. When you need to change, and it's a big change coming from another country to a big club with big players, you need to be ready.

"I think when I arrived here, the coach was really important but more than the coach was my team-mates because when you have the confidence of your team-mates, it's much better and easier for you."