Anthony Martial believes that Bruno Fernandes is a top signing for Manchester United as the season reaches its business end, per the club’s official website.
What’s he said?
United struck a deal worth an initial £47m, which could rise to £67.7m, to secure the attacking midfielder from Sporting Lisbon, one of two signings before the transfer deadline.
The other, a surprise swoop for former Watford striker Odion Ighalo on loan, was completed just before the window closed on Friday.
And Martial thinks that the arrival of Fernandes will be a major boost as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men attempt to qualify for the Champions League this term.
He said: “He’s a very, very good player. He had a great season last season and he’s started this season just the same and has been playing very well.
“I think it’s a real big plus for the club and I think he’s someone who’s going to help us attain our objectives this season.
“I’ve had a couple of little chats with him out on the training pitch and during training and I think he’ll settle in really easily.
“He’s spent some time initially with the Portuguese and Spanish speakers and he’s already integrated really well.”
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Best January deal
United have solved a major problem with the signing of Fernandes.
They have lacked that little bit of electric creativity, but the Portugal international is something of an amalgam of attributes; he scored 15 goals for Sporting this season and also registered 14 assists.
That is in stark contrast to anyone currently at United, with Daniel James registering the most assists of anyone in the squad – six in 2019/20.
He has also won 19 caps for his country but this is a player who will slot straight in and add something to the United attack.
It is notoriously difficult to sign players in the January window – take a look at the club’s move for Ighalo as one example – so United have pulled off a major coup in convincing Fernandes to swap Lisbon for Manchester.
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