Manchester United fans were understandably desperate for a new midfield hero, when they signed Bruno Fernandes.
But, while the new Reds star has had a very good start to life at Old Trafford, to start comparing him to Manchester City ace Kevin De Bruyne is simply ludicrous.
Fernandes shone in the Manchester derby last week and has clearly given a flagging, very ordinary United team a boost.
But De Bruyne has been the best midfielder in the Premier League for the last three seasons, arguably more.
Owen Hargreaves, who played for both Manchester clubs, made the comparison after Fernandes had masterminded a 5-0 win over LASK in the Europa League on Thursday night.
“Every time he gets the ball he makes something happen,” Hargreaves told BT Sport. “Fernandes is on fire, he created five chances in that first half.
“Like De Bruyne, he plays at his own speed, he's never rushed, finds pockets of space. He just has a feel of when to do things.”
Fernandes has a very good record of two goals and three assists in his five Premier League games to date.
But he has to sustain that not just for five matches, or even a season, but for several seasons, to earn any kind of comparison with Belgian ace De Bruyne.
The City man has averaged almost one contribution per game in the league this season, with eight goals and 16 assists in 25 starts.
He has been closing on Thierry Henry's Premier League record of 20 assists, although the uncertainty surrounding the conclusion of this season means he may not catch the former Arsenal man.
Fernandes, despite playing the first half of the season in a weaker league, turning out for Sporting Lisbon in Portugal, managed eight goals and seven assists in Portugal, so is still lagging some way behind the City man.
The Portugal star has made an impact, but even his record in recent matches does not quite hack it, compared to De Bruyne – who has four goals and seven assists in his last 11 league games.
The Blues star missed the Manchester derby, so a direct comparison of the two players was not possible.
But De Bruyne cost £8million less than Fernandes, and for their money, City have had a player who has made a huge contribution to two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and four League Cups.
lukzlat910
401
Leave them be please, Bruno is Bruno, Kevin is Kevin, don't start comparisons and let them play their own football, both are good in their own aspects
Pepedino
347
At first when I saw this article I thought it was from a retired football player or football legend but reading it out I clearly see "ALL FOOTBALL" is pained. Bruno has nothing to prove again he has shown it in sporting. He scored 32
Nberto
260
Bruno is very good at the midfield but he can not be compared to the De Bruyne because has just come in to the league. He will be compared only when he must have played for many games
Biaabdnopt
145
for now, De Bruyne is good, but Fernandes is also good, both are influential player who can help the other players to play better, De Bruyne had shown his class from time to time in EPL, but Bruno just arrived in the EPL, give him some time, then we can start comparing 🤷♂
adesinaalamu
90
Comparing Bruno Fernandes to De Bruyne is like comparing C. Ronaldo and Messi, both players are surely giving their teams exactly what they need to triumph and you would never be able to substantially separate the two, such arguments would continue to trend until they both call it a day in their football career