Karen Carney says Man Utd only have one ‘world-class’ player
Karen Carney says Manchester United, one of the biggest clubs in the world, only have one ‘world-class’ player.
United picked up a much-needed Premier League victory away at Fulham on Sunday evening, beating Marco Silva’s side 1-0 thanks to Lisandro Martinez’s deflected strike.
Manchester United, who had lost five of their last seven league games, were second best for large periods at Craven Cottage but returned to Old Trafford with the three points.
United’s second league win since the Manchester derby in mid-December sees the Red Devils move up to 12th in the Premier League, 12 points outside the Champions League places.
Ruben Amorim called his team ‘maybe the worst’ in the club’s 147-year history after last weekend’s defeat to Brighton but United have at least responded with wins over Rangers in the Europa League and Fulham in the English top-flight.
Manchester United’s recent struggles should not come as a huge surprise, though, as one of the biggest clubs in the world only have one ‘world-class’ player in Bruno Fernandes, according to ex-England star Carney.
Fernandes has scored 59 goals and made 47 assists in 183 Premier League appearances since his £57m move from Sporting Lisbon in 2020.
Asked where United would be without their club captain, Carney told TNT Sports before the Fulham win: ‘Manchester United fans don’t even want to think about that.
‘He’s maybe the only world-class player in that team, which is shocking to think about. He’s so key for them, he’s world-class.’
Fernandes, 30, has been named Manchester United’s Player of the Season three times since joining the club and looks set for a fourth award this term, Amad Diallo possibly the only other contender.
Rio Ferdinand admitted Manchester United were far from at their best against Fulham but was pleased to see his former club ‘grind out’ an important win.
‘We can sit here and talking about lack of creativity, but I have played here and away games in the Premier League are tough assignments,’ he said on TNT Sports.
‘Sometimes you have to grind it out.’
Ex-Leeds striker Lucy Ward added: ‘It wasn’t a great game, there wasn’t enough quality and a lack of chances.
‘From United’s point of view nobody will remember the performance, they will just remember the three points.
Manchester United face Romanian side Steaua Bucurest in the Europa League in midweek before returning to Premier League action next Sunday against Crystal Palace.