Dimitar Berbatov has urged Bruno Fernandes to improve on the defensive side of his game to become a greater asset to Man Utd.
The Portuguese midfielder was amongst the goals again on Tuesday, scoring twice to set United on their way to a 4-1 victory over Istanbul Basaksehir.
Fernandes started the match in an advanced role with two teammates forming a double pivot behind him in midfield.
And Berbatov feels it is essential for United to provide Fernandes with the necessary back-up to reduce the impact of his defensive incapacity.
"Fernandes has impressed me so much and the only weakness I see in him is his defensive side," Berbatov told Betfair .
"He can improve a bit there. He's an attacking midfielder, though, who creates chances, scores goals and up the pitch is where he has his power.
"That's why I think it's good to have someone in the team to cover for him."
United deployed Fred and Donny van de Beek behind Fernandes to good effect against Basaksehir, with the performance of the latter in particular drawing significant praise.
It was Fernandes who stole the show though, with a thumping half-volley of real Champions League quality which got the ball rolling.
"The opening goal in the win, that Bruno scored from outside the box, was amazing," Berbatov enthused. "Let me tell you, that technique is so difficult to do.
"I was never a big specialist at scoring from outside the box. Fernandes' strike was Scholesesque, that was his specialty, you could imagine Paul Scholes scoring that one, when the ball comes across to him, bam and into the top corner. It was perfect execution."
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Fernandes was then in the right place at the right time to grab his second soon after, before later giving up the chance of a hat-trick to allow Marcus Rashford to score from a penalty.
Discussing Fernandes' contribution further, Berbatov added: "Other than his defensive weakness, he is doing everything that the manager wants from him and, with 20 goals since he joined in January, he's certainly scored more than people expected.
"He is phenomenal in the passing and scoring department and since he joined the club he is doing everything that he needs to do."
