"There Are No Better Players Than Bruno Fernandes In The World Right Now"

There is currently no footballer in the world playing as well as Bruno Fernandes - according to Dirk Kuyt.

Manchester United midfielder Fernandes has helped guide the club to second in the Premier League and he's been a revelation in the last 12 months.

He scored twice in a 4-0 win over Real Sociedad on Thursday evening and former Liverpool man Kuyt thinks nobody can compare.

When discussing Donny van de Beek potentially breaking into the United team, Kuyt told Sky Sports per Metro: "I think Donny has been very unfortunate because there are no better players than [Bruno] Fernandes in the world at the moment and he's playing in his position.

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"I think Donny van de Beek has shown in the Champions League how good a player he is so his time will come."

Since arriving from Sporting CP last January, Fernandes has contributed 52 goals and assists.

That means he is just one behind Barcelona superstar and six-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi.

Fernandes' impact on United is undoubtable but he'll be keen to add some silverware to his cabinet.

Since he signed, United have lost three semi-finals and haven't won a trophy in general since 2017.

The 26-year-old has been compared to Old Trafford legend Eric Cantona for his transformative impact on the club.

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But Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce, who played in a successful Red Devils team with Cantona, believes Fernandes needs to deliver trophies to be held in that regard.

"What you have to judge people on over a period of time is what they've won. Certainly, Eric for us, was the catalyst to go and win things," Bruce said per Sky Sports.

"The way Fernandes has played in the last 12 months, it feels a bit like Eric because it's his stage. Eric adored everything that went with playing for arguably the biggest and best club in the world.

"Fernandes has done fantastically well in doing that, it's his stage. For it to be even suggested that he's on the same hymn sheet as Eric is a wonderful compliment to him.

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"Now they have to go and achieve and win things the way Eric did, and on big occasions win cup finals and semi-finals. If he does that, then of course you can compare him to Eric."

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side welcome the Magpies in Sunday's late kick-off.

Topics: Bruno Fernandes, Football, Manchester United, Premier League

Daniel Marland

Daniel is a journalist for SPORTbible and he has previous experience with Manchester United. He has spoken to some of the biggest names in sport including Rio Ferdinand, Peter Crouch, WWE COO Triple H and WWE legend The Undertaker. May or may not do a decent impression of Jamie Carragher.

@DanMarland_