Rio Ferdinand makes Lionel Messi point as he names player that lifts Bruno Fernandes to ‘another level’

Rio Ferdinand believes the return of Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen from injury has allowed Bruno Fernandes to reach another level of quality.

Fernandes was the standout performer on Sunday as United beat Nottingham Forest 2-0 at the City Ground. Goals from Antony and Diogo Dalot handed the Reds a deserved three points, with the former enjoying one of his best games since joining from Ajax last summer.

But it was Fernandes who was named Man of the Match, the Portuguese international finding acres of space between the lines and controlling the game from midfield.

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He was initially due to start alongside Marcel Sabitzer, but the Austrian picked up an issue in the warm-up that forced Eriksen into the starting line-up for the first time since January.

“His passing, he's creating chances,” Ferdinand told Vibe With FIVE of Fernandes. “His stats, only Messi rivals him in terms of goal involvements since he signed for United.

“I'm not saying he is on Messi's level, no one is saying that Bruno is on Messi’s level, he's not. But only Messi is above him in those stats.

“He needs Eriksen to get to that other level. Eriksen the amount of easy passes he makes that are just great for teammates.”

The Dane had been an ever-present in the United side until an ankle injury picked up against Reading in January. His return was welcomed earlier this month with two appearances off the bench against Everton and Sevilla.

United remain unbeaten when all three of Casemiro, Eriksen and Fernandes start together.

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