Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes Bruno Fernandes' impact on the current Manchester United team is on a par with Cristiano Ronaldo in his Old Trafford pomp.
Fernandes' double strike against Istanbul Basaksehir in the Champions League on Tuesday night means that the Portugal star has a total of 34 goals and assists since he joined United in a £68million deal in January – more than any other Premier League player during that period.
The former Sporting Lisbon playmaker also showed his leadership qualities on Tuesday by giving up the chance to complete his hat-trick from the spot and let Marcus Rashford take a penalty.
Asked if Fernandes has a similar presence in the team to Ronaldo, Solskjaer said: 'He does definitely have that presence and influence and impact on team-mates.
'Just look at results since he came in. He's got energy, leadership, he's a team player and key for us going forward.
'Some players will have to sit games out. I wasn't looking forward to telling Bruno he was rested against Leipzig, same as Marcus, but it was fine. The culture of the team is it's not about individuals, and Bruno has proved that over and over.'
United go to Southampton on Sunday looking to make it four wins in a row, but Solskjaer is expecting a tough test against a team currently lying in sixth.
'Of course, we want that run to continue but we know how well Southampton have done lately,' he added.
'We have a good away record and are up there since the turn of January when we had some ins and outs. That was a big turning point for us and since then have been pushing up the table and getting that consistency.
'This is a nice challenge and a good test for the team to see if we learnt our lessons from the games we played against Southampton last season.
'We know it's going to be a difficult one, they've done really well. If you look back over a 30 or 40-game block, they're one of the top teams.'
rulerCR7
728
I think Bruno is more important to Manchester United than CR7 was, Ronaldo was playing alongside legends like rooney,tevez,scholes,giggs, Ferdinand, Neville,Vidic,etc with Sir Alex as manger and we were still able to win prem league and reached UCL finals even after Ronaldo left but without Bruno we won't even qualify for UCL
Sirjozzy
440
Bruno Fernandez scored 33 goals in his best scoring season and 11 of them being penalties (33%pen) Frank Lampard scores 26 goals in his best scoring season with 15 of them being penalties (57%pen) So shouldn’t it be Lampenard🏃🏽♂️🏃🏽♂️🏃🏽♂️😏
lutbdmu
399
people from the comments seems very jealous of Bruno & also do not understand English if you actually read the article, you would know that Ole only answered as the reporter asked him. & actually judging from the performance the guy(Bruno) is good at what he does, so why all the salty comments about penalties?? moreover are penalties not goals??
Wayabckos
372
what an idiot manger.. Already putting unnecessary pressure on his player. let him make his own name. Cristiano is unique.
Muchi_Jr
265
So people are failing to understand simple English 😀😀! Mr Ole just agreed that Fernandez has similar presence, influence and impact on team mates with CR7. He never said Fernandez and CR7 are just the same, of course we all know that CR7 he's the best and as Man U fans, we'll always love him.
Kiccilnot
203
if u talk about penalties then yes
rulerCR7
22
which year was that when utd reached to UCL finals without CR7
2011 finals vs barca
ArjunUtd
19
what an idiot manger.. Already putting unnecessary pressure on his player. let him make his own name. Cristiano is unique.
Read full article you mug are you illiterate or you're starving for getting likes like most of the users do here
Flaz
17
lie of the year!!!!!🤭🤭[Crylaugh][Crylaugh]you can't compare Cristiano Ronaldo to overrated Bruno Fernandez 🙄🙄(this is coming from a big fan of Barca and Messi)
[image]
Cristiano Is better but put some respect on Bruno's name and hes not overrated
rulerCR7
17
bruno is important because he can help man united win by penalties
5 open goals and 5 assist this season for bruno,tell me which Liverpool midfielder..forget midfielder tell me which Liverpool player has total 10 goals contribution without penalties
nandha007
17
I think Bruno is more important to Manchester United than CR7 was, Ronaldo was playing alongside legends like rooney,tevez,scholes,giggs, Ferdinand, Neville,Vidic,etc with Sir Alex as manger and we were still able to win prem league and reached UCL finals even after Ronaldo left but without Bruno we won't even qualify for UCL
did you know bruno is playing alongside with lingardhino he is a monster
pikcenprsy
17
if u talk about penalties then yes
Still scored more goals than your two strikers this season
rulerCR7
14
lie of the year!!!!!🤭🤭[Crylaugh][Crylaugh]you can't compare Cristiano Ronaldo to overrated Bruno Fernandez 🙄🙄(this is coming from a big fan of Barca and Messi)
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Barca fans were comparing Ansu fati to Messi
thevillaparkmascot
14
what an idiot manger.. Already putting unnecessary pressure on his player. let him make his own name. Cristiano is unique.
maybe you and the other 143 illiterates who liked this need to learn to read
ImEden
13
I think Bruno is more important to Manchester United than CR7 was, Ronaldo was playing alongside legends like rooney,tevez,scholes,giggs, Ferdinand, Neville,Vidic,etc with Sir Alex as manger and we were still able to win prem league and reached UCL finals even after Ronaldo left but without Bruno we won't even qualify for UCL
which year was that when utd reached to UCL finals without CR7
Syd007
13
I think Bruno is more important to Manchester United than CR7 was, Ronaldo was playing alongside legends like rooney,tevez,scholes,giggs, Ferdinand, Neville,Vidic,etc with Sir Alex as manger and we were still able to win prem league and reached UCL finals even after Ronaldo left but without Bruno we won't even qualify for UCL
True 💯
pikcenprsy
12
ok😂
Also keep your 400million duo quiet when they met so cry more 😘
rulerCR7
11
what an idiot manger.. Already putting unnecessary pressure on his player. let him make his own name. Cristiano is unique.
Ole just answered the question, journalist asked him,he is not putting any pressure on any player
pogba16islit
10
without penalties manu wont won
Penalties saved you against Leeds or else a new championship club would have beat you on opening night
CR7AVEIROHD
9
if u talk about penalties then yes
did u watch Bruno playing, he scored more than 5 goals with normal play, first watch him play then judge him, he scored more goals than ur Di Maria, Mbappe and Neymar this season so far, just don't vomit
mamancullen
8
I think Bruno is more important to Manchester United than CR7 was, Ronaldo was playing alongside legends like rooney,tevez,scholes,giggs, Ferdinand, Neville,Vidic,etc with Sir Alex as manger and we were still able to win prem league and reached UCL finals even after Ronaldo left but without Bruno we won't even qualify for UCL
bruno is important because he can help man united win by penalties
Syd007
8
if u talk about penalties then yes
Psg fan trolling United 🤣🤣🤣