Bernardo Silva predicts success for Bruno Fernandes at Manchester United - and picks out his compatriot's best quality

Bruno Fernandes

Bernardo Silva has backed fellow Portugal international Bruno Fernandes to excel at Manchester United.

The Red Devils completed the signing of the midfielder from Sporting CP in a deal worth around £46.5m in late January.

Fernandes turned in an accomplished performance in a 0-0 draw with Wolves on his United debut.

And Bernardo, who plays alongside Fernandes for Portugal, believes his compatriot will be a success at Old Trafford.

"I think he is going to adapt, he has already played in Italy when he was younger, so it's not his first experience abroad," the Manchester City playmaker told Sky Sports.

"I'm happy for him, I'm happy that he's playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world and I think he's going to do great at Man United.

"The best thing about Bruno is his mentality and the way he gives himself to the team 100% and he just goes in every game. It doesn't matter who he's playing against and his mentality and character is the best thing about him.

"The first time I played with Bruno, we were 18 years old so my first game for Portugal at Under-19s was also Bruno's first game for Portugal. Then we played together for the Under-21s, the national team and now we're both in Manchester so it's great. We're rivals but it's good to have him here.

"Changing is always complicated, you have to adapt to the way your new team plays, your team-mates, the way the manager wants to play, sometimes new systems. So maybe it will take him a few months but I think it's good that he's here and he'll be a great asset for Man Utd - but hopefully not against Man City."

United face Chelsea next Monday in a crunch clash in the race for fourth place.

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Greg Lea

Greg Lea is a freelance football journalist who's filled in wherever FourFourTwo needs him since 2014. He became a Crystal Palace fan after watching a 1-0 loss to Port Vale in 1998, and once got on the scoresheet in a primary school game against Wilfried Zaha's Whitehorse Manor (an own goal in an 8-0 defeat).