Manchester United attacker Jesse Lingard has heaped praise on Bruno Fernandes, who has been hugely influential in the club’s quest for a top four finish. The Portugal international joined the Red Devils from Sporting Lisbon in January and he has since been a regular in the number 10 role where he has excelled.

Fernandes has already registered nine goals and eight assists for the club from 19 appearances and Lingard has talked up the quality of the attacking midfielder, he told: “When he first came you could see the qualities that he brought. Each and every game he flourishes with confidence, the assists and the goals have followed. He’s really helped the team. Apart from that he’s a good lad as well – he’s got a bit of bit of banter about him which is good. He’s settled in really well and adapted into living in Manchester, so hopefully now he can kick on even more.”

The Red Devils were 14 points behind Leicester City at the beginning of the year, but they have managed to nullify the deficit during the second half of the campaign and are now one point ahead of them on the table. The club are currently third in the league standings and they will ensure their spot in the Champions League next term, provided they are able to avoid a defeat to the Foxes in the final game of the season.

Meanwhile, the club are still alive in the Europa League. They secured a comfortable 5-0 win over LASK during the first leg of the round of 16 on the road and are scheduled to play the return leg on August 5. They are currently regarded as the favourites to lift the title ahead of Inter Milan, whom they could face in the final of the competition.