EPL: Bruno Fernandes fires back at Roy Keane in assist record row
May 25, 2026 5:56 pm
Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes has hit back at criticism from former Manchester United captain Roy Keane, accusing him of telling a “lie” about comments linked to the Premier League assists record.
Fernandes, who captains Manchester United, said Keane misrepresented his post-match interview after United’s 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest, in which the midfielder was said to have prioritised individual achievement over team success.
Keane, speaking on The Overlap podcast, suggested Fernandes’ mindset reflected an unhealthy focus on personal statistics rather than collective success.
“How can your mindset of a footballer be going into a match to be about an individual record? He won’t be winning trophies, not with that mindset of the team,” Keane said.
However, Fernandes insisted those claims were inaccurate and based on a misinterpretation of his actual remarks.
“There were probably moments today when I should have passed instead of shot. I’m very happy for the assist, but more than that, I’m happy for the win and to finish the season on a high,” Fernandes said, referring to his original comments.
As reported by BBC Sport on Monday, speaking on the podcast The Diary of a CEO, Fernandes expressed frustration at what he described as false claims.
“What I don’t like is when people lie about things… in this case what you said about Roy Keane basically what he said is a lie because either he saw some other interview or he can’t say that I said one thing that I’ve just not said,” he said.
Fernandes added that he respects criticism but draws the line at being misquoted.
“I accept his criticism… but what I don’t like is that he puts words in my mouth that have not been said,” he said.
The Portuguese midfielder finished the season strongly, equalling and then breaking the Premier League assist record previously held by legends such as Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne.
The incident adds to a growing pattern of current Manchester United players publicly responding to criticism from club legends.
Gilbert Ekugbe is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over a decade of experience reporting on business and economic affairs. He covers markets, corporate developments, finance, and Nigeria’s broader economic landscape. His reporting is informed by extensive newsroom experience and a strong commitment to accuracy and responsible journalism, helping readers understand complex business issues.
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: [email protected]