EPL: Bruno Fernandes fires back at Roy Keane in assist record row

Bruno Fernandes has publicly challenged former Manchester United captain Roy Keane's criticism regarding his mindset as a player. Keane suggested on "The Overlap" podcast that Fernandes' focus on individual records, specifically assists, indicated a lack of team-first mentality, which would hinder trophy wins.

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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.

Fernandes, who captains Manchester United, vehemently denied Keane's interpretation. He stated that Keane's comments were a "lie" and based on a misrepresentation of his actual post-match interview. Fernandes clarified that his priority was the team's victory, citing his original comments after the 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest: "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."

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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.

Speaking on "The Diary of a CEO" podcast, Fernandes expressed frustration with 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 concluded the season by breaking the Premier League assist record, previously held by players like Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne. This public dispute adds to a trend of current Manchester United players addressing critiques from club icons.

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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.