Gary Neville compares Man United's Bruno Fernandes to Juan Sebastian Veron

Club legend Gary Neville has claimed that Juan Sebastian Veron could have made a similar impact at Manchester United as Bruno Fernandes had there been greater flexibility regarding formations.

While Veron made 82 appearances during his two-year spell at Old Trafford between 2001 and 2003, it was perceived that the Argentine had failed to justify his £28.1m price-tag.

Meanwhile, Fernandes has already emerged as a key man since moving to United in January, contributing three goals and four assists from just nine outings.

Despite their contrasting fortunes in the North-West, Neville sees a number of similarities between the two playmakers.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, the ex-defender said: "The way Seba played, he's coming out of Italy, and it's the way in which actually a lot of midfield players now play, like Bruno Fernandes who's come to Manchester United.

"He reminds me so much of Veron. But the game has developed to a point now whereby players can move into different positions, there's a lot more fluidity in systems, 4-4-2 doesn't exist anymore.

"I think Veron came in with an interchanging position mindset and a different mindset, into a team that had been set in the patterns. So for me that was why it just didn't quite happen. It was nothing to do with him as a player or as an individual. He was a brilliant player."

Veron later moved to Chelsea, where he made just 14 appearances in all competitions during the first year of the Roman Abramovich era.