Eddie Howe sees ‘similarities’ in Newcastle United and Manchester United star

Eddie Howe has praised in-form midfielder Bruno Guimaraes and has identified one area where the Brazilian international has improved since his move to Newcastle United.

It is just over nine months since the former Lyon star joined the Magpies in a deal that could amount to around £40m and he has gone on to become a firm favourite with United supporters.

Playing in a number of roles across midfield, Bruno has quickly become an integral part of Howe’s side and is viewed as a big part of the future at St James Park.  Despite arriving on Tyneside with a fine reputation, the 24-year-old has arguably surpassed expectations by adding goals to his game.

After getting off the mark with a stunning effort in a 2-1 win at Southampton in March, Bruno has gone on to score seven goals in 24 appearances and grabbed his second double for the club in last weekend’s 5-1 hammering of Brentford.

Speaking ahead of Sunday’s visit to Manchester United, Magpies boss Howe has admitted the midfielder has addressed one area he felt he could improve when the deal to bring him to Newcastle was completed.

He said: “It’s a strange one. It’s a strange, positive thing for us. When we signed him we didn’t think we were getting goals as part of his game, to be honest. His goal record wasn’t something we looked at and thought ‘we’ll change that and add goals to his game.’

“I think it has just happened organically and naturally because he is a very, very good player. The goal from the corner is if he’s not the player chosen to do that role he doesn’t score. He has been given a boost of confidence there, airily, and he’s taken it.

“The second goal is all down to him where he has the aggressive, defensive understanding to win the ball first and takes the responsibility to shoot and scores. Hopefully there is more in him. He is a very good player.”

Sunday’s visit to Old Trafford has brought talk of comparisons between the Magpies star and Manchester United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes.  Howe discussed those comparison in his pre-match press conference and hailed the duo as ‘two great technicians’.

“I think Bruno Fernandes is a fantastic player. They actually have a lot of similarities to their games. Both are technically very good. Maybe Bruno Fernandes plays a little bit higher up the pitch, but our Bruno can do exactly the same. He has the versatility of playing deeper. They are two great technicians  and I enjoy watching both of them play.”