Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has described Bruno Fernandes as a top player after the Portuguese came up with a brilliant delivery from a corner which contributed to Harry Maguire’s first-ever Premier League goal for the club. The 25-year-old only made his second appearance in the United shirt on Monday night against Chelsea and he produced a good performance from the number 10 spot with three key chances created.

As a result, he was voted by United fans as their player of the match and Solskjaer was likewise appreciative of the display from the club’s January signing. He told: “He’s a top player, he wants to get on the ball. But at set-ball delivery he’s top class, one of the better ones I’ve seen. And Harry, we know if he can get a run on the ball he’s dangerous and he got the goal.”

Meanwhile, United’s 2-0 win over Chelsea has taken them within three points off the top four while they are a couple of points behind fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur. Both of those places would guarantee United with Champions League football at present, given Manchester City have been banned from European competitions for the next two years.

When asked about the Champions League prospects, Solskjaer acknowledged that his team have a good chance of achieving the aim with the improved performances at the back of late, he added: “Of course we want to be in the Champions League next year, and we’ve given ourselves a chance by this result, but we know that we need to improve on creating chances, scoring goals. We showed a clean sheet again today, a foundation to build from.”

Chelsea are due to host Tottenham Hotspur in the forthcoming Premier League meeting and United have a good chance of propelling into the Champions League spots as one or both of the London teams will drop points. Still, they can’t take anything for granted and they must beat Watford this weekend in order to achieve that outcome.