Former Arsenal and France star Emmanuel Petit has aimed a dig at his compatriot whilst praising the Red Devils’ new talisman.
Manchester United ‘s €55 million (£49m/$61m) January signing Bruno Fernandes is doing what Paul Pogba “should have done in terms of leadership on the pitch”, in accordance to Emmanuel Petit, who is keen to see the two guys play collectively at Old Trafford.
Fernandes has inspired an impressive turnaround in fortunes for United since arriving from Sporting in the January transfer window, making a seamless transition from the Primeira Liga to the Premier League.
The Portuguese playmaker has contributed three goals and 4 assists in his first 9 outings throughout all competitions, assisting the Red Devils get their 2019-20 campaign back on track.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men had been in danger of slipping out of the race for Champions League qualification at the turn of the year, however now find themselves just three points adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea after picking up 10 points from a possible 12 in their last 4 top-flight games.
United are additionally unbeaten in 11, and they have only conceded twice in the course of that period, with Europa League and FA Cup silverware additionally still up for grabs heading into the business end of the campaign.
Pogba has had to watch on from the sidelines for the majority of the 2019-20 season through injury, amid reviews he will seek a move away from the club when the transfer market reopens this summer.
The World Cup winner has failed to live up to his £89 million ($111m) price tag since returning to the Theatre of Dreams from
Juventus in 2016, and Petit believes Fernandes is already gratifying the role his fellow Frenchman has struggled with over the last 4 years.
However, in spite of Pogba’s current troubles, the ex-Les Bleus and Arsenal midfielder would nonetheless like to see the pair link up for United in the near future, as he told the
Mirror : “Fernandes has made a huge impact.
“In the space of two months, he is the best purchase in the winter market. He has made such a big impact. It’s like he’s been at the club for six years.
“He’s changed the mentality inside the dressing room. It’s tough for a player to come in mid-season and do that.
“Paul Pogba was meant to be doing this at Manchester United. It’s what he need to have done in terms of leadership on the pitch.
“But I’m looking forward to seeing them collectively on the pitch, I choose to see if that can work, and I’m fantastically sure it can work.”
