The Portuguese’s coming has breathed new life into the Red Devils but there’s still work to be carried out in the transport market, the boss says.
Bruno Fernandes has supplied Manchester United using a major boost but”one or two bits” are necessary for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s staff to be where he needs it.
Having failed to reach a deal with Sporting CP in the close season, United eventually snapped up Fernandes in January at a transfer which could cost up to #68 million ($88m).
The Portuguese worldwide has scored two goals and set up another set in his five appearances since arriving at Old Trafford.
Solskjaer has no doubt Fernandes has provided United with something that they were lacking, but he believes further developments are required to get his team up to the standard he anticipates.
“We knew when we left the decisions we made in the summer that it was going to take some time and Rome, as I’ve said a couple of times, was not built in a day,” said Solskjaer before Sunday’s trip to Everton.
“However, the culture, the attitude, the fitness center, the camaraderie, the team spirit, possibly even the understanding between gamers, have improved.
“We’ve missed that box-opener that Bruno is proving to be today. There was one or two bits missing and we know we are missing a couple of bits to be where we would like to be. Nevertheless, it is a work in progress.
“Kieran [McKenna] and Michael [Carrick] are fantastic on the training floor I must say [with] the training, and the boys are prepared to learn. And now we have got more and more healthy players also.”
Solskjaer has been impressed with the attitude displayed by Fernandes, who was on goal from the penalty spot in a 5-0 win over Club Brugge on Thursday that sent United into the last 16 of the Europa League.
“When I send him when I take off him — obviously he did not need to come off [against Brugge], that is 1 thing. He simply loves football, he has so much excitement and has a smile about him, he wants to stand out there and would like to become better,” said the director.
“I tried to send him because it was chilly and [that he said,] ‘Oh, no, no. I wish to watch.’ He just loves football, he will probably know everything about soccer and is merely one of those old-school boys that soccer is everything for him. He has been a big, big boost for us.”
