Everton No.37 James Garner has received a maiden call-up to the England side, and his former Manchester United teammate Bruno Fernandes was quick to react on Instagram.
The pair spent two years together at Old Trafford before the Toffees paid £9m to bring the man born in Birkenhead back to Merseyside in September 2022, where he has flourished – particularly since David Moyes returned to Everton.
Fernandes has now been seen to have ‘liked’ the news on Instagram after England revealed that James Garner had been called up by Thomas Tuchel.
Dewsbury-Hall deserves to be in the England squad with Garner, do you agree? 🤔
FIVE goalkeepers have been included for some reason! 😡
James Garner and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall celebrate
Photo by Richard Martin-Roberts – CameraSport via Getty Images
Bruno Fernandes ‘likes’ James Garner news along with several Everton players
The Manchester United No.8 was seen to have smashed the like button on England’s Instagram post about Garner – clearly pleased to see his former teammate reach a landmark moment in his career.
Idrissa Gueye, Dwight McNeil, Harrison Armstrong, James Tarkowski and Jack Grealish – along with Arsenal star Declan Rice – also liked the post.
What Bruno Fernandes has previously said about James Garner
News of Garner’s England call-up may have left Fernandes with a feeling of ‘what if’ given the way he used to speak about the Everton No.37 at Manchester United.
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The Portugal international previously replied “James Garner” in April 2022 when asked by a fan in a Q&A (question and answer) session which academy player they were most looking forward to playing alongside.
Fernandes also heaped praise on the 25-year-old when speaking to the official Manchester United website in August 2021. He said: “Jimmy Garner, I think is a really good player, I really like him and the way he kicks the ball. He’s really aggressive off the ball too.”
The Everton star has emphatically backed that statement up with his fine performances this season – no English player in the Premier League has recorded more interceptions (49) or tackles (89) than him so far this term, according to Opta.
Is James Garner actually better as a full-back or in midfield? 🤔
He's been exceptional just about all season for the Blues!
James Garner of Everton reacts during the Premier League match between Everton and Brighton and Hove Albion at Hill Dickinson Stadium
Credit: Getty Images/Clive Mason.
Hopefully, Garner – who Leon Osman wanted to see in the England side – can grab this opportunity with both hands and establish himself as a regular for the Three Lions.
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