Javier Ribalta left Manchester United almost two years ago but the Spaniard knows a thing or two about the Red Devils' new star Bruno Fernandes.
The 39-year-old, who worked as a chief scout at Old Trafford for a year, brought the young Portuguese to the Serie B side Novara in 2012.
Ribalta, who now works as a sporting director at Zenit St Petersburg, told Marca: "I don't like to talk about this, but the signing I'm most proud of is Bruno. It was all very personal, I went to see him in Portugal and picked him up at the airport.
"It was unpredictable to think that he would arrive at Manchester United, but it makes me very happy. He is a distinguished player. He builds, assists and encourages.
"It is very difficult to see that in a single footballer. And he plays without pressure, naturally. Mistakes do not affect him, he has the soul of a leader, just look at the way United has changed. He can go ever further."
Fernandes went on to join Serie A side Udinese after impressing at Novara, followed by moves to Sampdoria, Sporting Lisbon and finally Man Utd.
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