Legendary United defender delivers glowing verdict on “extraordinary” star after win vs. Villa

Former Manchester United defender Jaap Stam has admitted being blown away by Bruno Fernandes after his brilliant performance in the win over Aston Villa. Fernandes masterclass Fernandes ran the show for United yet again as they eased to a comfortable 3-1 victory against Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon. Casemiro, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko got on the scoresheet as the Red Devils consolidated third place and widened the gap in the race to finish within the guaranteed Champions League places. Fernandes assisted Casemiro and Cunha’s goals. In doing so, the Portugal international surpassed David Beckham to become the United player to register the most assists in a Premier League campaign. Since his £47 million transfer from Sporting CP in 2020, the midfielder has now registered 100 assists for the Red Devils, a milestone reached thanks to his two most recent setups. After the final whistle, Carrick hailed Fernandes’ ability and his incredible understanding with Casemiro. Fernandes’ masterclass against Villa has renewed calls for him to be crowned the Premier League Player of the Season. Speaking on Viaplay, legendary United defender Jaap Stam was also full of praise for the club captain. Stam heaps praise on Fernandes Stam said [as quoted by the Metro], “We have a lot of discussions about Bruno and what he is and his mentality and how he can react to his team-mates at times.” “But when you see his quality on the ball and putting player sin front of goal, it’s extraordinary.” “You need to have these players in your team otherwise you’re never going to make that next step to win the title.” In his post-match press conference, Michael Carrick warned United that they cannot afford to let Fernandes leave during the summer transfer window. Despite rumours linking the captain with a potential move to the Saudi Pro League, Carrick insisted United must hold on to their star playmaker. Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Latest Top Stories… Derick Kinoti Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the Premier League extensively for years. His work blends sharp analysis, tactical insight, and engaging storytelling that resonates with fans around the world. Derick has gained valuable experience in football journalism, developing strong expertise in SEO writing, digital content creation, and social media engagement. A tech enthusiast with a Computer Science degree from the University of Nairobi, he ultimately swapped code for football commentary, bringing an analytical, detail-oriented approach to his writing. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!