Former Premier League manager Sam Allardyce has made an interesting claim about an in-form Manchester United star.
Manchester United bounced back from their loss to Everton with a hard-earned victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on the weekend.
After falling behind in the first half, the Reds responded impressively after the break, with Joshua Zirkzee and Mason Mount both scoring to turn the match around.
Club captain Bruno Fernandes was the man to provide both assists in that game and he earned the Man of the Match award.
With a favourable run of games ahead, Ruben Amorim’s side will hope to build momentum and strengthen their position in the table.
Allardyce makes interesting claim about ‘brilliant’ United star
Fernandes’ two assists against Palace meant that he leapfrogged Paul Scholes in the all-time United assist-makers list. He is now only behind David Beckham, Wayne Rooney and Ryan Giggs.
The Portuguese midfielder’s achievement stunned Sam Allardyce, who believes that Fernandes is a world-class midfield player.
Speaking on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast, the 71-year-old former West Ham manager asked: “What? He has more assists than Paul Scholes? How many years has he been there? Six? Seven?
“Scholes was there from the beginning, wasn’t he? Twelve to thirteen years in the first team. That’s incredible, he’s one of the best midfield players ever.”
One criticism that has previously come Fernandes’ way is the fact that he moans too much on the pitch but Allardyce believes that the United captain has ‘matured’ in that aspect.
“Fernandes is brilliant, but he’s not a Paul Scholes,” Allardyce added.
“He’s not waving his arms around as much as well, I have to say, as a captain, it is important not to show those reactions, so it looks like he’s matured a bit.”
Fernandes would have shined under Ferguson
Fernandes looked to suffer a knock at the end of the game against Palace but he is set to be in the squad against West Ham.
The midfielder never misses games and always delivers for United. He never hides even though he has been in an underperforming team a lot of the time.
Read More: Bruno Fernandes explains “very important” unnoticed boost vs Crystal Palace, Diogo Dalot agrees
It is often claimed that United’s current players wouldn’t have lasted in the successful teams under Sir Alex Ferguson but it’s hard to argue that Fernandes wouldn’t have been even better.
Imagine the Portuguese midfielder trying to supply the likes of Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, Andy Cole or Ruud van Nistelrooy. He would most likely have many more assists than the 56 he has now.
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