‘He’s a universal midfielder’: Ex-Swansea boss Francesco Guidolin, who Bruno Fernandes rates as one of his most influential coaches, backs Manchester United’s £ 90 m new boy to be ‘perfect’ for the Premier League
- Bruno Fernandes is heading to Manchester United for his medical ahead of move
- Portuguese star came to prominence under Francesco Guidolin at Udinese
- He described the former Swansea boss as ‘one of his most influential coaches’
- Guidolin said: ‘For me Bruno Fernandes is a great box-to-box midfielder’
By Alvise Cagnazzo For Mailonline
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Bruno Fernandes has been backed up to thrive in the (Premier League) by one of his most influential coaches, former Swansea boss Francesco Guidolin.
The Portuguese midfielder is en route to Manchester for a medical with United ahead of his proposed £ 6million move from. Sporting Lisbon, which could rise to £ 68 m. Guidolin, who worked with Fernan des during his spell at Udinese was once described by the – year-old as’ one of the most influential coaches in Italy
and my career ‘.
(Bruno Fernandes developed at Udinese under the tutelage of manager Francesco Guidolin 
Guidolin was described by Fernandes as one of the most influential coaches in his career
The manager exclusively told Sportsmail: ‘Manchester United have made a big purchase if they take Fernandes. He is a golden boy, always available and intelligent.
‘He came from Novara, we ( Udinese) paid him very little. The Pozzo family, also owners of Watford, have always invested heavily in young talent.
‘He was very shrewd, quick and communicative, a Portuguese of great quality. In Udinese we played in Europe: he was good at becoming important starting from the bench.
‘He talked a lot with me and I’m glad he called me the best coach I ‘ve had in Italy. The Sporting Lisbon star is en route to Manchester where he will have a medical with United
In terms of the role Fernandes will play in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, Guidolin thinks. he works best as a balanced central midfielder.
He continued: ‘For me Bruno Fernandes is a great box-to-box midfielder. I don’t think he will have any difficulty.
‘He is perfect for the Premier League because in the UK they are looking for very technical and fast players. His role is that of a universal midfielder: he can play as a left and right midfielder or in the middle. In a 4-2-3-1 he can make a right or left wing and also be the playmaker. Sure, he can’t play as a No 9 but he’s one of the few players who can play most roles. ‘
Guidolin, who became Swansea boss in January 2016 Before being dismissed in October, does not believe Fernandes could have commanded such a large fee from an Italian team. Fernandes has the technical skill and intelligence to thrive at United, according to Guidolin The Italian described his former player as a ‘universal’ midfielder who is ‘perfect’ for England
‘The market in England is different. The value that can be read on tabloids is not sustainable for Italian football but Bruno Fernandes is still a great player. ‘
And when questioned about whether Fernandes has the physical capacity to compete with the best in the Premier League, the Italian thinks his former charge will cope.
‘He will work on his physicality, but his quality is different. He is fast and he uses his head with great intelligence. Strength is relative for a player like him.
‘Certainly jumping above the head of a defender in Premier will not be easy but he is a champion, ‘he connected.
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