Bruno Fernandes Responds to Manchester United Legend's Criticism about Assist Record

Bruno Fernandes denied criticism from Manchester United legends (Instagram/@manutd).

JAKARTA - Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has accused Roy Keane of lying about his attempt to break the English League assist record.

Fernandes set a record for the most assists in a season by scoring 21 assists after leading the Red Devils to a 3-0 win over Brighton on Sunday, May 24, 2021.

The 31-year-old equalled the previous record, which was shared by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne, a week earlier when Manchester United beat Nottingham Forest 3-2.

However, the achievement has even garnered criticism. Manchester United legend Roy Keane said that Fernandes prioritized individual glory over the team's interests, describing him as the center of a "circus show".

"After the game (against Nottingham Forest), he was interviewed and said that several times, I should have shot but I gave a pass."

"Wow, how can a footballer's mindset when entering a match only focus on individual records? He won't win trophies, not with that kind of team mindset," Keane said on The Overlap podcast.

However, the former Republic of Ireland and Manchester United captain appeared to have misinterpreted Fernandes' comments.

Fernandes' post-match statement was actually, "Maybe there were some moments today where I should have passed rather than shot. I'm very happy with the assist, but more than that, I'm happy with this win and ending the season well."

No wonder, Keane's statement was immediately responded to by Fernandes. The Portuguese player said Keane had added words that were not true.

"As I always say, I don't mind criticism. I always accept criticism from anyone and I never respond to anything."

"People have opinions, they think it's good, bad, or whatever. What I don't like is when people lie about something and (in) this case."

"What you say about Roy Keane is basically a lie because either he saw another interview or he couldn't say that I said something I didn't say at all."

"Fortunately for me everything was recorded. I accept the criticism, I accept that he may like me as a player or not, like me as a person or not."

"However, what I don't like is that he put words in my mouth that I never said," Fernandes told podcast The Diary of a CEO.

Fernandes said he had contacted former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to ask for Keane's phone number so he could discuss the matter.

"Obviously I think I've always shown a lot of respect to Roy Keane and for all he's done for the club and as well as all he's always said."

"What I don't like is people making up their own words about what I say and that's not true," Fernandes said.

After providing an assist for Patrick Dorgu's opening goal at the Amex Stadium, the best player in the English League completed the score after a goal from Bryan Mbeumo.

Manchester United ended the season in third place and qualified for the Champions League with three games to spare.

Manager Michael Carrick, who signed a two-year contract on Friday, May 22, 2026, secured an impressive 39 points from the club's last 17 games after initially taking over on an interim basis following the departure of Ruben Amorim.

"Getting a run of results in this league is difficult and getting a run of wins is a challenge. Obviously, it's a new start (next season) in many ways."

"The players came back from the 2026 World Cup knowing that we can trust each other, we can work together, we can give a little bit more for each other. When you get through that, I think it's pretty powerful," Carrick said.