“Top, top player…” – Fulham boss Marco Silva sends huge compliment to “crucial” Man United star

Fulham manager Marco Silva has delivered a huge compliment to one “crucial” Manchester United star ahead of their Premier League clash.

Following United‘s defeat against Manchester City in the Community Shield last weekend, Erik ten Hag’s side are turning their attention to a return to Premier League action.

United host The Cottagers at Old Trafford on Friday evening in their opening game of the 2024/25 Premier League campaign.

The new signings of Joshua Zirkzee, Noussair Mazraoui, and Matthijs de Ligt could all make their debuts for the club in that game.

However, it is a familiar face who is the main concern for Fulham manager Marco Silva.

Bruno Fernandes is set to start the game after signing a new contract at Old Trafford this week and Silva has been waxing lyrical about the Portuguese playmaker.

“Bruno Fernandes is a top player. Top, top player,” Silva said in his pre-match press conference, as relayed on Beanyman Sports on YouTube. “I can say more about him. I think he’s one of the crucial players for them.

“He is their captain; he is one of the players with the most assists in this country, this Championship in the last three or four seasons. Every time he’s on the pitch, he can make an impact.”

Fernandes has made 234 appearances for the club since joining in January 2020. He has scored 79 goals and registered 67 assists in that time.

While Silva is clearly a big fan of the midfielder, the manager has explained that his team must be ‘aware’ of his qualities going into the game.

“He can score goals, can make assists. He’s a player with the knowledge about the game at a really, really high level,” he added.

“You can feel it every single moment of the game; Bruno can be decisive on the ball and off the ball.

“He’s going to be a player, of course, we look for. (We) have to be to be aware of his qualities because he can decide a match in any moment of the game.”

The game kicks off at 20:00 BST on Friday evening and will be shown live on Sky Sports Main Event.

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