- Gary Neville hails Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes
- Praises decision to stay at club
- Portuguese playmaker enjoying best season
Gary Neville has given a glowing verdict of Bruno Fernandes and touched on the Manchester United captain’s decision to stay at Old Trafford. The Portuguese playmaker’s future was uncertain last summer amid interest from the Saudi Pro League.
Fernandes reportedly received a jaw-dropping £65m salary offer from Saudi giants Al-Hilal. He decided to pass on the opportunity to become one of the world’s highest-paid players and continue with the Reds.
The 31-year-old is enjoying his best season for the club, closing in on the Premier League’s assist record in a single campaign. He will captain Michael Carrick’s side against Brentford tonight.
‘Gone Up in My Estimations’ – Neville Commends Fernandes
Fernandes sits on eight goals and 19 assists in 32 league games. If he were to add two assists to that tally, he’d join Kevin De Bruyne and Thierry Henry on a record 21 assists in a single league season.
Neville was full of praise for the Portuguese midfielder ahead of the game against Brentford. He told Sky Sports:
“His performance levels from a consistency point of view in a really struggling team at times. If it wasn’t for him, you hate to think where Man United would be in some of those seasons. Always wants the ball; he’s getting better and better, more mature, more experienced.“
Neville recalled Fernandes’ uncertain past summer and the decision to stay at a club that finished 15th last season:
“He was obviously always popular with Man United fans but when you turn down leaving that’s a big moment. It’s easy to jump ship when things aren’t going well but for him to stay he’s gone up in my estimations and every single United fans’, more than he did already.“
Fernandes recently opened up on his decision to stay at United rather than head to Saudi Arabia. He told club legend Wayne Rooney that he didn’t want to leave the club during a difficult period.
The former Sporting CP man also made clear he still yearns for a Premier League or Champions League winners’ medal. Neither is possible this season, but with one year left on his contract, fans will be eager to see the team deliver a major trophy for him.
Fernandes – Man Utd’s Best Post-Sir Alex Signing
It’s not even a debate at this point but no player has reached the standards of United under Sir Alex Ferguson more so than Fernandes. Since the legendary Scot retired, the club has nosedived, but the Portuguese midfielder has been a shining light.
As soon as he arrived at the Theatre of Dreams from Sporting, it was clear he was a special talent. He’s now in his sixth year with the club and sits on 106 goals and 105 assists in 322 games.
Fernandes could easily have decided to take off and head to Saudi Arabia for astronomical money that would provide his family for generations. But instead, he showed his true character, putting the club first to try and help guide it back to where it belongs.
