Ole Gunnar Solskjaer full of praise for Manchester United 'game-changer' Bruno Fernandes

Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes celebrates scoring the second goal during the Premier League football match at Brighton. AFP

Fernandes celebrates the second goal. Getty

Fernandes (C) celebrates scoring the third goal. AFP

Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes (C) celebrates with his teammates after scoring the third. EPA

Bruno Fernandes with manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after being substituted. Reuters

Bruno Fernandes scores the third goal. Reuters

Brighton goalkeeper Mathew Ryan concedes the first goal. EPA

Brighton goalkeeper Mathew Ryan concedes the second. EPA

Paul Pogba takes a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter campaign before the match. Reuters

Manchester United's Paul Pogba in action against Brighton's Neal Maupay. EPA

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes Bruno Fernandes has brought a winning mentality to Manchester United after his two goals inspired an impressive 3-0 win at Brighton & Hove Albion.

Inspired by the dazzling Fernandes, United produced one of their best performances of the season at the Amex Stadium.

Mason Greenwood opened the scoring early in the first half and Fernandes doubled the lead before the interval.

Fernandes netted again after half-time with a fine volley as United climbed above Wolves on goal difference to take fifth place in the Premier League.

"Bruno has come and been fantastic. He has brought that winning mentality with him, that 99 per cent is not good enough. It has to be 100 per cent," Solskjaer said.

"I've got more than one game-changer. The third goal was a great team goal. To see so many players sprinting forward to get on the end of it was fantastic. A great finish by Bruno."

Solskjaer's side are two points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, who play their game in hand at West Ham on Wednesday.

With fifth place securing qualification for the Champions League if second-placed Manchester City's European ban is upheld, United are in a strong position to return to the continent's elite club competition.

If they make it, United will owe a huge debt of gratitude to Fernandes, who has scored six goals since arriving from Sporting Lisbon in January.

The Portugal midfielder's role in revitalising United cannot be understated.

They were mired in a major slump before Fernandes' signing, but are now on a 15-game unbeaten run in all competitions, including three successive wins.

"It's a joy to watch them when you see them express themselves like that," Solskjaer said. "The confidence comes from performances. They worked hard during the lockdown and we know we have loads to play for.

"I don't care about making a statement, I know we are a good team."

United are also looking more solid at the back with eight clean sheets in their last 13 league matches.

With a run-in that includes games against Bournemouth, Aston Villa and West Ham, Solskjaer's men could enjoy a memorable conclusion to the campaign as they also chase success in the FA Cup and Europa League.

Brighton had taken four points from two games since the restart, easing their relegation fears, but this defeat means they aren't completely safe yet.

Solskjaer this week warned United's strikers they must improve if they want to stay in the team.

It was a message that Greenwood had clearly taken to heart as the 18-year-old produced a fine strike to open the scoring in the 16th minute.

Greenwood's 13th goal of the season in all competitions was the signal for United to take complete control.

Luke Shaw's run unhinged the Albion defence and Paul Pogba worked the ball back to Fernandes, whose shot deflected off Alexis Mac Allister and squirmed past Ryan from the edge of the area.

There was frustration for Brighton as they claimed Shaw was offside and the ball had been taken out of play in the build-up to the goal.

Fernandes wasn't finished yet and he put the game out of Brighton's reach at the climax of a swaggering United counter in the 50th minute.