Robin van Persie heaped praise on Bruno Fernandes after Manchester United’s Europa League clash at Club Brugge, describing the midfielder as a “joy to watch”.
Fernandes is already winning over fans at Old Trafford after making a positive start following his January arrival from Sporting Lisbon for an initial fee of £47million.
After starting the 2-0 win at Chelsea on Monday, the 25-year-old was introduced as an 81st-minute substitute during his side’s 1-1 draw with the Belgian side.
And although he only spent around 10 minutes on the pitch, Van Persie was impressed with the Portugal international’s cameo at the Jan Breydel Stadium.
“He was unbelievable,” said the former Red Devils and Arsenal striker while appearing as a pundit on BT Sport. “With top players, you can tell straight away that he has something to add.
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“He’s silky on the ball, he has a pass, he has a nice cross and shot.
“So a joy to watch!”
United got off to a slow start during the first leg of their round-of-32 tie and fell behind after just 15 minutes.
Emmanuel Dennis latched onto a long ball and lobbed Sergio Romero to put Philippe Clement’s side ahead after the Argentine goalkeeper had rushed off his line.
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However, the Premier League side soon found themselves level as Anthony Martial capitalised on an error from the Belgian outfit to race through and slide past Simon Mignolet in the 36th minute.
And the Frenchman came close to putting Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side ahead when he rattled the post with a powerful left-footed effort just before the break.
However, neither side was unable to find a winner before the final whistle and United will enter next week’s return leg at Old Trafford with the upper hand thanks to their away goal.
Before then, the Red Devils host bottom-three side Watford on Sunday as Solskjaer’s side continue their pursuit of a Champions League place.
