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Bruno Fernandes realised his potential in Italy, says Emiliano Viviano

  /  autty

Bruno Fernandes has had a transformative effect on Manchester United since he joined the club in January.

But the brilliant Portuguese star didn't always have the 'intensity or tactical understanding' to make full use of his many talents.

That's according to his former team-mate at Sampdoria, the goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano, who said not everyone had faith Fernandes would realise his full potential.

The playmaker started his professional playing career in Italy, first with Novara in Serie B and then Udinese before he spent the 2016-17 season with Sampdoria.

It was there that his career 'exploded', according to Viviano, as Fernandes because the top class play we saw at Sporting Lisbon and now at Old Trafford.

The 26-year-old has scored 22 goals and contributed 13 assists in 36 matches since joining United.

'I was one of the few who supported him,' Viviano told TMW Radio.

'Bruno always had everything, only that he arrived in Italy and he lacked tactics and intensity.

'He learned it and now it has exploded, also because he has everything: right, left, technique but also an incredible run.

'He is a technical leader, which Manchester United perhaps lacked,'

Fernandes was named United's player of the month in November, the fifth time in eight months since arriving he has won the award.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will look to Fernandes to seal United's progress into the last-16 of the Champions League as they play Paris Saint-Germain at Old Trafford on Wednesday night.

And having won their last three league outings, United head to West Ham this Saturday.