BBC Radio Manchester presenter Gaz Drinkwater says that “no one comes close” to Bruno Fernandes when it comes to choosing a Premier League Player of the Season.
With 16 assists, the Portuguese midfielder is on his way to the league record – shared between Thierry Henry and Kevin de Bruyne – on 20 assists in a single season.
Drinkwater says that Fernandes' performances since joining the Red Devils in 2020 have earned him a place among club greats.
"I do think we're talking about a player who we've got to say is one of Manchester United's greatest ever players," he told the Devils’ Advocate podcast.
"In terms of quality and the numbers and his effect in games, he's up there with some of the best we've ever had.
"The question of whether or not he's a Manchester United legend has been done to death and I've always said if you don't win the league or the Champions League with all the players we've had who've done it, I feel strange describing a player who's not done that.
"But where would we have been without Bruno Fernandes? And where could we have been if we'd had a better team around him?
"I see mock-ups of Fernandes in a '99 shirt or a 2008 shirt and I think, imagine him in those teams."
Drinkwater hopes that Fernandes gets the team and personal achievements that he is due.
"This man deserves a Premier League title, he deserves to win the Champions League, the World Cup with Portugal," he said.
"If England don't win it, I hope Portugal do for him.
"He's a tremendous footballer and he should win player of the season this season.
"No one else comes close.
"Bruno is a delight to watch and he's what football is all about."
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