Former England international Jamie Redknapp has claimed that Bruno Fernandes is like Manchester United's "manager on the pitch".

Fernandes was strongly linked with a move to Old Trafford last summer, but the 20-time English champions had to wait until the January transfer window to sign the Portuguese.

The 25-year-old has scored three times and provided two assists in his seven appearances for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side, and Redknapp has praised the attacker for his organisation skills.

"The Bruno Fernandes signing has been huge for the club, sometimes it can just take one player to change the feeling, the way they train," Redknapp told Sky Sports News.

"I love his attitude. He dictates the pace of the game. And when you see him live you see a player who can pull the strings. He's not gone in there and taken it easy, straight away he's gone in and he's organising.

"To a certain extent he's like the manager on the pitch. And that's what you want - somebody who can run a game for you. Ole must be so happy with that signing, considering they nearly didn't sign him. They were umming and ahhing over the fee but he looks quite cheap now."

Fernandes allegedly demanded more from his United teammates in the aftermath of last weekend's 1-1 draw against Everton in the Premier League.