KEY POINTS

  • Harry Maguire called Bruno Fernandes a "big character" and "big leader"
  • Fernandes scored twice in Man Utd's 3-1 victory Saturday
  • Fernandes now has scored 6 goals for Man Utd this season

Manchester United captain Harry Maguire hailed Bruno Fernandes, terming him a “big leader” after the midfielder scored twice in the Red Devils’ 3-1 win over Everton Saturday.

"Bruno was excellent. He came under a little bit of stick-on Wednesday night but he’s a big character and a big leader. He’s reacted brilliantly and does his talking on the pitch. I’m delighted he’s got a couple of goals or whatever you want to call it, a goal or an assist," Maguire told the club’s official website.

After Bernard put Everton 1-0 up with his 19th-minute strike at Goodison Park Saturday, Bruno Fernandes put struggling Man Utd back into the game with an equalizer before the 26-year-old scored again a few minutes later to give the away side a 2-1 lead.

Fernandes, who moved from Sporting Lisbon to Man Utd during the 2020 January transfer window, has already made a difference in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side with his presence. He took hardly any time to get going in English soccer as he made significant contributions in Manchester United’s fourth-place finish in the 2019-20 Premier League season.

In the ongoing campaign, the Portuguese midfielder has already netted six goals in as many as 11 appearances for the Solskjaer-managed club.

Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes celebrates scoring his equaliser in the 3-1 win against Everton
Bruno Fernandes POOL / Clive Brunskill

After scoring the two goals against Everton, Fernandes set up Edinson Cavani to score his first goal for Man Utd. The Uruguayan made a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) to Old Trafford, and Man Utd skipper Maguire is confident that Cavani will reduce the burden on the club’s primary strikers.

"He worked tirelessly up there and did the dirty work and he got his rewards right at the end. I think he's going to be a big player for us, he’s going to score goals. He knows where the back of the net is and I’ve seen that in training a few times already. He’s just getting up to speed in terms of his training and work rate but he’s going to be a big player for us," added Maguire in the same interview.

Man Utd, who are currently placed 14th in the Premier League table, next face West Brom at home on Nov. 21.

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