Gary Neville believes Bruno Fernandes is the best signing Manchester United have made since Sir Alex Ferguson left the club in 2013.
The former Manchester United player has praised Fernandes, who joined the club in 2020, and considers the Portugal international the outstanding acquisition of the post-Ferguson era.
Neville’s assessment covers every signing made by Manchester United since Ferguson’s departure. The legendary manager’s final season at Old Trafford ended with the club winning the Premier League title in 2013, and the club have not been champions since.
Fernandes arrived at Manchester United seven years after that last league title. Neville now regards his transfer as the club’s most successful addition during the period that has followed Ferguson’s tenure.
Manchester United have begun the current season with one victory and one defeat. Their next Premier League fixture will take them away from home to face Everton.
The opening results mean Manchester United will travel to Everton looking to add another win to their early league record. The match comes as the club continue their pursuit of stronger results in the competition where their last championship success came in 2013.
Neville’s comments place Fernandes above Manchester United’s other signings since that title-winning campaign. His view is based on the midfielder’s importance to the club since the player moved to Old Trafford in 2020.
Manchester United’s start of one win and one loss is the immediate context for the upcoming trip to Everton. The club’s longer-term league record, however, stretches back to Ferguson’s final season, when they last finished as Premier League champions.
Fernandes therefore remains the central figure in Neville’s judgement of Manchester United’s recruitment after Ferguson. While the club have already experienced a mixed opening to this season, the former defender considers the 2020 arrival the clearest success of the years since the managerial era that ended in 2013.
The former Manchester United player’s view also links the club’s current situation with its recent history. Manchester United are preparing for their next league match after splitting their opening two results, while the benchmark for their previous period of success remains the 2013 title won in Ferguson’s final year.
Their next assignment is an away game against Everton in the Premier League. Until then, Neville’s verdict gives Fernandes a significant standing in the club’s post-Ferguson story: the best signing Manchester United have made since the manager who last led them to the league championship.