Rio Ferdinand has hailed Manchester United and Bruno Fernandes after the Reds pulled a much-needed victory out of the bag this afternoon at Everton.
United won 3-1 at Goodison Park in the early Premier League kick-off on Saturday to ease the pressure somewhat on manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after successive defeats. Bernard gave Everton a 19th-minute lead but Fernandes soon headed the visitors level and then put them ahead before the break when his cross found its way into the net. The points were sealed in added time as Edinson Cavani netted his first goal for the club.
Rio Ferdinand was on punditry duties during the contest for BT Sport and post-match he had some kind words for the United squad, particularly Fernandes.
“Man United under Ole have been able to pull out a performance when they really needed it and today was one of them," Ferdinand told BT Sport. "They frustrated Everton today, but when the big moments in the game came, they were clinical and Fernandes, two goals and an assist. This guy is on fire - 30 goal involvements in 33 games, it says it all.
“I think he’s a fantastic player. They need more of that type, not just in terms of output, but the actual personalities to get them through difficult stages.”
Ferdinand believes Fernandes can be a key leader in the United team - in the mould of former Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard - as the season goes on, with the former Reds' defender agreeing with Fernandes' take on the club's leadership issues.
"There are different types of leaders, there are people who are vocal that will organise and get people in the right positions, then there are ones like Steven Gerrard who organises by going out and playing and leading by example," Ferdinand added.
"There are very different leaders in the game but I don’t think United have enough of them. He (Fernandes) falls into that category of leading by example, by going out there and scoring goals and creating chances.”
