Bruno Fernandes was compared to Kevin De Bruyne after starring in Manchester United's Europa League win over LASK.
United romped to a 5-0 first-leg victory in Austria to effectively secure a quarter-final place, in a game played behind closed doors due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Fernandes was instrumental to United's victory, pulling the strings in midfield throughout and setting up the equally impressive Odion Ighalo for the opening goal.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side are on an 11-game unbeaten run having not lost with Fernandes in the team since the Portugal international joined in January.
And former United midfielder Owen Hargreaves said the 25-year-old was "on fire", likening him to Manchester City star De Bruyne , who has been one of the Premier League's best players this season.
"Every time he gets the ball he makes something happen,' Hargreaves said on 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 has given everyone at the club a lift."
Before Thursday's clash against LASK, Fernandes had scored three and provided three assists in eight appearances for United.
And another former United man, Paul Ince, said Fernandes "seems to be the midfield player United need".
Working alongside Hargreaves as a pundit, Ince also the capitulation from the home side showed the importance of having fans in the stadium.
Games across Europe are increasingly being played behind closed doors as a response to the coronavirus outbreak.
Ince said LASK appeared to struggle for inspiration once Ighalo and Dan James had scored United's opening two goals.
"As soon as they went 2-0 down their heads dropped,' said Ince. "There was no 12th man to help them forward.
"Fans are massively important - we saw we need them at these games."
UEFA is on Tuesday expected to address the immediate future of the Champions League and Europa League in the face of the coronavirus crisis.
