Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Hails Bruno Fernandes Impact After Man Utd Thrash Club Brugge

​Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was delighted with his team on Thursday night as they swept Club Brugge aside 5-0 at Old Trafford in the Europa League. The Norwegian reserved special praise for January signings Bruno Fernandes and Odion Ighalo.

During his 65 minutes on the pitch, Fernandes made United tick and was at the centre of everything that was good about the team’s performance.

It was his cool penalty that kicked off the club’s joint second biggest win since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, while he also carved out the opportunity that created Ighalo’s maiden goal, as well as winning the ball back high up the pitch to lead to Scott McTominay’s strike.

“Bruno coming in makes a big, big difference. He had a hand in all three first-half goals. I’m very happy with his contribution,” Solskjaer said in comments published by BBC Sport.

“He’s in the middle of the season so he’s fit. He was in good form. We felt he was something we needed. It was a ready-made position for him.”

Ighalo came close to scoring within minutes of making his United debut against Chelsea earlier this month, but he got off the mark when Juan Mata’s low cross presented him with an open net. The Nigerian dedicated the goal to his late sister, who passed away in December.

“I think, as a fellow striker myself, I know important that first goal is and he’s been close a couple of times,” Solskjaer explained in further comments published by ManUtd.com.

“You can see he sniffs goals, he wants to be there, where it sometimes hurts. That goal, he was sharp in his head and, as that ball is played over to Juan, he spins and was on the six-yard line when Juan puts it there. That’s a natural striker.”

The game also saw Fred net twice late on, trebling the Brazilian’s overall goal tally since joining United. He has been a star performer in recent months after a difficult debut season last year.

“I wasn’t sure if I was going to be alive for the next time he was going to score, he’s had so many attempts!” Solskjaer joked. “One with his right and one with his left. It’s been an on-going joke between us, of course, but he got those goals and I’m very pleased for him.”

For more from Jamie Spencer, follow him on Twitter and Facebook!