Midfielder Bruno Fernandes can help unlock the potential of Manchester United's attack much like Paul Scholes and Juan Sebastian Veron did during their days at Old Trafford, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has said.

Fernandes, who joined United in January for an initial fee of €55 million, scored his first goal for the club on Sunday as he placed a cool penalty past Ben Foster in a 3-0 Premier League win over Watford.

The Portugal international provided the assist for Mason Greenwood's goal and also played a part in Anthony Martial's.

"Bruno has come in to be a very important player ... now we've got the No.10 or attacking midfielder nailed down. Hopefully, he'll keep fit and keep producing performances," Solskjaer told a news conference."

United have struggled for a creative spark in midfield this season, with record signing Paul Pogba injured for much of it, and Solskjaer said Fernandes can step up in the France international's absence.

"He's similar to Veron and Scholes," he said. "We've needed that type of player. He knows he's here to play.

"One of the good things about him is he takes risks with the ball, like Veron."

The win on Sunday lifted United to fifth in the league with 41 points from 27 games, three points behind fourth-placed Chelsea.

United travel to Everton on Sunday after hosting Club Brugge in the second leg of their Europa League round-of-32 clash on Thursday. The first leg ended 1-1.