The sporting director who took Bruno Fernandes to Italy says the Portuguese star has reached his pinnacle at Manchester United.
Cristiano Giaretta was instrumental in taking a young Fernandes from Boavista to Novara in 2012, giving the midfielder his first taste of senior football.
Giaretta is now sporting director at Watford so will be reunited with Fernandes in January’s FA Cup tie between the Hornets and United.
Speaking to Calcio Mercato, Giaretta was asked where he sees Fernandes in the future – and the 52-year-old argued that, while he could fit into any side in the world, the midfielder is at home at Old Trafford.
He said: “It almost goes without saying that he would be fine with Real Madrid, Barcelona or Juventus. The truth is he could go anywhere but, in my opinion, he’s already at the top.
“Personally, I believe that Manchester United and the Premier League are the pinnacles of a career, a point of arrival, not of passage: I thought so as a player and I am still convinced of it, as a sporting director who aims to bring Watford back to the top as soon as possible.
“Then he will make his choices, he is an intelligent boy and will know what is best for him.”
Fernandes has been a revelation since joining United from Sporting Lisbon in January and Giaretta admits it is difficult to pinpoint an area the 26-year-old can improve in.
Instead, Giaretta said he expects Fernandes to continue to study rival players in order to improve himself.
“I think it is difficult to mention a fundamental where he can do better,” Giaretta said. “It could be said that he can work more on penalties, on free-kicks, on anything else, a bit like everyone else.
“It is certain that he never stops aiming high, of committing himself: Bruno does not just train, but over time free studies the opponents, the other teams.
“He wants to be number one, but maybe he already is: he took Manchester United and shifted the balance, something not really for everyone.”
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