Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes Manchester United have ‘added some X factor’ with the signing of Bruno Fernandes and has discussed the midfielder’s key ‘strengths’.
The Portuguese international arrived in a big-money deal from Sporting Lisbon last month and has made a positive start to his career in the Premier League, opening his account for the club with a well-taken penalty and providing an assist during the 3-0 win over Watford last weekend.
The signing of Fernandes brings some much-needed creativity to a Manchester United midfield that has been lacking imagination over the opening months of the campaign, and Solskjaer believes his side have ‘added some X factor and quality’ to their ranks following the 25-year-old’s arrival.
“Well, we feel we’ve added some X factor and quality with Bruno,” Solskjaer said at his pre-match press conference ahead of the club’s Europa League clash against Club Brugge.
Bruno Fernandes: "The fans are amazing and they give me more confidence to play and to be happy."pic.twitter.com/FPgEUSJdlw
— Paul Manc Bald and Bred (@MufcWonItAll2) February 23, 2020
“The addition of Bruno gives us that little bit of a different flavour.
“He’s a player who likes to play penetrative passes, forward passes. He likes to task risks, which a Man United player should do.”
Solskjaer was asked on whether Fernandes’ arrival has helped increase the pace of United’s build-up play, and the Red Devils’ boss was full of praise for the midfielder’s ‘imagination’ and speed of thought in helping dictate their tempo.
“I think his imagination, or his overview, his picture, is a couple of seconds ahead of other players. That’s one of his strengths: knowing what he wants to do when he gets it.
“He also can change his mind in a split second. If that picture doesn’t work as he thought, he’ll change it.
“I think that composure has been important for us as well.”
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