Fulham striker ‘grew’ during his difficult Middlesbrough loan spell
Fulham boss Marco Silva believes striker Rodrigo Muniz is now reaping the rewards from his tricky loan spell at Championship side Middlesbrough last seaso.
The 22-year-old has scored four in his last three outings in the Premier League, bagging a brace in the 3-1 win over Bournemouth and scoring in the 2-1 defeat at home to Aston Villa last weekend.
Brazilian Muniz spent last season on loan with Boro but only featured 17 times, playing just 12 minutes of Championship football in the second half of the campaign.
The former Flamengo youngster is leading the line for Silva, keeping deadline day loan signing Armando Broja on the bench.
Silva said: “Last season unfortunately wasn’t the best on the pitch. The loan, we decided something for him, was not the best.
“Some difficulties for him to face, and sometimes even if you don’t grow playing football matches you can grow in a different way.
“It was a moment for him to think about himself, what he should do, to be in a good level, and of course he came back.
“It’s a really competitive position right now, with Armando [Broja] here – he is a player we really believe that came to help us and reach a different level.”
Fulham head to Manchester United on Saturday as they look to stop Erik ten Hag’s side from recording their fifth straight Premier League win.
PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD