Former Novara chief Cristiano Giaretta says Bruno Fernandes has found his "pinnacle" at Manchester United.
Giaretta, now with Watford, was instrumental in taking a young Fernandes from Boavista to Novara in 2012, giving the midfielder his first taste of senior football.
He told Calciomercato: "It almost goes without saying that he would be fine with Real Madrid, Barcelona or Juventus. The truth is he could go anywhere but, in my opinion, he's already at the top.
"Personally, I believe that Manchester United and the Premier League are the pinnacles of a career, a point of arrival, not of passage: I thought so as a player and I am still convinced of it, as a sporting director who aims to bring Watford back to the top as soon as possible.
"Then he will make his choices, he is an intelligent boy and will know what is best for him."
Giaretta said he expects Fernandes to continue to study rival players in order to improve himself.
"I think it is difficult to mention a fundamental where he can do better," Giaretta said. "It could be said that he can work more on penalties, on free-kicks, on anything else, a bit like everyone else.
"It is certain that he never stops aiming high, of committing himself: Bruno does not just train, but over time free studies the opponents, the other teams.
"He wants to be number one, but maybe he already is: he took Manchester United and shifted the balance, something not really for everyone."
