Former Manchester United winger Nani has revealed the moment he knew Bruno Fernandes would be a huge hit in England.
Fernandes has been United’s best player since joining the club from Sporting Lisbon in January.
The Portuguese has had a hand in nine goals from eight Premier League games this season, while also adding three in the Champions League.
His creativity has completely revamped United’s attack, and he almost single-handedly dragged them to a top four finish last season.
But ex-Red Devils star Nani, who played with Fernandes at Sporting, insists that the Portuguese’s success comes as no surprise to him after advising him to make the move years ago.
“A couple of years ago I was giving advice to Bruno Fernandes, who I used to play with at Sporting. Bruno now is a much better player than when we were playing together.
“He was doing great in Portugal but the Portuguese league is not the same as the Premier League – in everything there is more quality and intensity.
“I saw so much potential in Bruno and I told him to go to England if he decided to move to another league. I said to him, ‘Your game will fit there and the fans will go crazy for you!’
“The style of his football is something fans appreciate. He is a player who likes to take risks in the game, who wants to take the responsibility of the game on his back and make difficult passes, dribbles and shots.
“He doesn’t care about mistakes; he only thinks about success and making the team have success. He knows what that takes. That’s Man United, isn’t it?
“All the years of success at the club were achieved with that approach. Every player in the team, from goalkeeper to striker, took risks.
“We all knew the timing, when we should be calm, but all our games had passion, quality and the freedom to take risks if the result wasn’t coming.
“Bruno has done so well until now, scoring goals and setting up a lot of goals, but I think he will keep improving and making the team even better.”
