Real Sociedad defender Nacho Monreal has hailed the impact of David Silva this season.

Just as La Real were seeing Real Madrid cut short the two-season loan of Martin Odegaard, now of Arsenal, they were welcome Silva from Manchester City.

Monreal said, "It was a great success for the club that deserves applause for both the president and the sports director. They moved fast.

"Odegaard was a key footballer. We thought he was going to stay, but Real Madrid called him and he had to come back. We were left with that little hole, but it didn't take the club three days to convince David Silva. What a change! We are delighted with it."

Ahead of their Europa League clash with Manchester United, Monreal continued: "Silva is our Bruno Fernandes. (Mikel) Oyarzabal is also at a high level but, based on his experience, I choose David. A guy who has won a World Cup and makes different things happen when he has the ball.

"He watches football like nobody else. He is a privileged person and we are privileged to have him. They know him enough in Manchester."