The January signing, Bruno Fernandes has had an immense impact on Manchester United therefore compared with the mid-season arrival Eric Cantona something he rejects.
Fernandes arrival from Sporting Lisbon transformed United’s season with 11 goals in 20 appearances. Since his arrival, the Old Trafford club has lost once in 22 games to claim a place in next season’s Champions League and book a Europa League semi-final with Sevilla in Cologne today.
Parallels have been drawn between Fernandes and the impact Eric Cantona had on the club in the 1992/93 season. Cantona arrived midway of the season and proved the catalyst for the Red Devils to end their 26-year wait for a league title and trigger a 20-year period at the top of the English game.
Just like Cantona, Fernandes is also at taking penalties having converted all seven for United as he is honored to be likened to one of United’s greatest players.
The Portuguese admitted he is flattered by Eric Cantona’s comparison. However, he will only look back fondly on his first season with Manchester United if they win the Europa League.
“It is really good to listen taking about them names”. Said Fernandes.
“But really, for me, Cantona was an amazing player for the club. I need to do much, much, much better to be compared with him. I’m really happy about what I did. I’m not satisfied”.
“Like the coach said, for me, to come to Manchester is about winning trophies. I come to the club to win some trophies and I will be happy this season if we win the Europa League”.
On his quick adaption to English football, Fernandes added, “I can’t say it was easy. But of course, we have had good results. I was scoring some goals but it was easy because the team helped me a lot. Everyone in the club helped me a lot. The staff, the coach, everyone gives me a lot of confidence. So it was much easier for me”.