Phil Jones claims Manchester United star is now on “another level” after stunning Leicester City performance

Phil Jones has claimed one Manchester United star is now on “another level” after a stunning performance against Leicester City on Sunday evening.

Manchester United secured a dominant 3-0 win over Leicester City, with goals from Rasmus Højlund, Alejandro Garnacho, and Bruno Fernandes lifting Rúben Amorim’s side to 13th in the Premier League.

Højlund struck first just after the half-hour mark, finishing a well-timed pass from Fernandes. Leicester pushed for an equaliser before the break, but Wilfred Ndidi and Patson Daka couldn’t convert their chances.

Early in the second half, Ayden Heaven was stretchered off and replaced by Toby Collyer. Garnacho had a goal ruled out for offside but soon made up for it with a brilliant turn and finish to make it 2-0.

Fernandes sealed the victory late on with a superb strike, capping off a confident display from United as they head into the March international break.

Fernandes is now on “another level,” says Jones

Fernandes’ strike just before extra time was one of United’s sweetest goals this season as he hit Diogo Dalot’s cutback on the first time of asking past Mads Hermansen, but it was his overall commanding performance that has caught the masses’ attention.

Fernandes has seven goal involvements in his last three games, with his free-kick against Arsenal backed up by a hat-trick against Real Sociedad in midweek before two assists and a further goal against Leicester.

Phil Jones, Fernandes’ former teammate at United, now believes that the player’s performances have gone up “another level” of late following a poor start to the campaign.

“He sets the example,” Jones told Sky Sports after the game. “And like I said, the players in and around the club and the staff, they certainly admire him and the young players look up to him.

“As I said before, I think that the question marks over him perhaps were in the big games. Can he produce those big moments in the big games? But I think he’s proven that in the last six, seven months. I think he’s taken his game to another level.

“It’s been difficult circumstances surrounding the club. It’s been difficult to get points on the board. They’ve had some difficult moments in some tough games. So I think he’s a good captain.

“I think he leads by example. I think the players can see that. The manager can see that. And I think he’s heading in the right direction.”

Fernandes addresses criticisms of his leadership

Earlier this month, a lot of noise was made surrounding Fernandes’ leadership after former United midfielder Roy Keane claimed the 30-year-old was not fit to be the club’s captain, and Fernanes addressed said comments directly after his Man of the Match display.

“It’s not nice to hear bad things about you. I think no-one likes it, but at the same time, it motivates and it makes you feel that obviously there are a lot of things that people think you have to improve,” Fernandes explained.

“You have to take it in a positive way, understanding that whatever people are saying, if there’s a margin to improvement or not. Obviously, I know you’re talking about Roy Keane.

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“I have a huge respect for Roy Keane. I think he was one of the best captains in the club and an amazing player for the club. He won basically everything for this club. It’s the way he thinks. It’s the idea he has about me as a player, as a captain. I have to respect that.

“I do things in my own way to try to be the best, not just captain, but person and teammate I can. I do it every day. I try to be an example in everything I do, on the training sessions, on the pitch, in everything I do.

“I accept that there’s a lot of margin for improvement in my game, in my leadership, in everything I do, even in my own life.”

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