'People talk about Scholes - but he reminds me of Veron': Phil Neville compares Bruno Fernandes to a Manchester United FLOP... but says teams will take 'extra protection' when they face the Portugal midfielder
* Juan Sebastian Veron joined Manchester United for £28.1m back in 2001
* But he struggled to adapt and was sold to rivals Chelsea in 2003
* Bruno Fernandes's technical skill reminds Phil Neville of Veron's talent
Phil Neville says that Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes reminds him of Juan Sebastian Veron - despite the Argentinian being regarded as a notable Old Trafford flop.
Fernandes made an electrifying start to life in Manchester before the coronavirus outbreak halted the season but United will return to action on Friday against Tottenham.
And Neville, another former United midfielder, heaped praise on the Portuguese midfielder.
Phil Neville has heaped praise upon Manchester Unitd midfielder Bruno Fernandes. Neville said Fernandes reminds him of Old Trafford flop Juan Sebastian Veron
'He’s a really technical player, always wants to take the ball,’ Neville told Premier League Productions.
‘People talk about Paul Scholes but he reminds me more of Veron with the way he’s got that invincibility of taking people on, a lot of shots from distance.
‘The positions which he takes up I think are really interesting. He always finds space.'
Veron was brought to United by Sir Alex Ferguson in 2001 in what was then a record £28.1m transfer from Lazio.
The Argentina midfielder had been Serie A's star man but struggled to adapt to the pace of the Premier League and in 2003 Ferguson sold him to Chelsea.
Neville, who played alongside Veron, also said that Fernandes brings a different option to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's midfield.
Fernandes made a super start to life at United, who return to action on Friday evening. Fernandes has been compared to former United star Paul Scholes
‘Fred, (Scott) McTominay and (Nemanja) Matic are all ball-winners, all have got the energy but haven’t got the technical ability of Fernandes.
‘A lot of teams will have seen a lot of his games since he came to England and I just wonder whether they will take extra protection when playing against Manchester United now.’
Despite a three month break, United will need Fernandes to hit the ground running when their season resumes on Friday against Tottenham.
United are fifth in the Premier League standings and qualifying for the Champions League is imperative for Solskjaer and United.
Code:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8430405/Phil-Neville-compares-Bruno-Fernandes-Manchester-United-FLOP.html