Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes has already blown away many expectations since joining the club in the January transfer window.

The Portuguese international has three goals and four assists in just nine appearances since he moved to Old Trafford after agreeing a five-and-a-half year contract, with the option to extend for a further year.

Fernandes won the Premier League player of the month award for February, but his success will have come as no great shock to Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.

Liverpool faced Fernandes and his former side Sporting Lisbon in a pre-season friendly last summer and the German manager was very impressed with what he saw.

Fernandes notched a goal and an assist as the two sides drew 2-2 at the Yankee Stadium, and after the game Klopp hailed the midfielder.

“Good game. You’ve been good,” Klopp told Fernandes. “Congratulations for the great game. You’re a top player.”

He wasn’t done there either. In his post-match press conference, Klopp was asked about Fernandes and predicted he would strengthen United were he to move to Old Trafford last summer amid incessant transfer speculation.

“If he [joins United] then we will face him,” said the Liverpool manager. “He’s obviously a really good player. United have already a few really good players, so that will probably make them stronger.

“It’s not nice, but it [United’s transfer business] is not our cup of tea, to be honest.”