Bruno Fernandes has hit back at Roy Keane after the former Manchester United captain criticised him for prioritising individual records over team performance, accusing the pundit of lying about his comments.
Fernandes equalled the record for most Premier League assists in a season with a goal for Bruno Mbeumo in a 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest, before breaking the record with another assist against Brighton on the final day. He finished with 21 assists, winning the Premier League Player of the Season and FWA Footballer of the Year awards.
Keane, speaking on The Overlap Podcast, said: “You’re going to get assists in that position he plays. When you’re the captain of a club and are supposed to be driving the club forward, do not be getting bogged down by just your role in the team, just assists.” He claimed Fernandes said in an interview: “Yeah a few times I probably should have shot but I made them passes.”
However, Fernandes clarified on The Diary of a CEO podcast that he had actually said he took shots when passing would have been better. “What I don’t like was when people lie about things,” he said. “Luckily for me, everything is on record. Imagine if it wasn’t, then people will think Bruno is the guy always trying to go the assist.” He added that he considered contacting Keane directly but decided against it.
