Manager Bruno Fernandes has accused Roy Keane of distorting comments after he suggested he would prioritize personal achievements over helping Manchester United win. Former United midfielder Keane claimed there was too much focus on Fernandes’ assist stats rather than winning last weekend’s game against Nottingham Forest. The playmaker teed up Brian Mbeumo in a 3-2 win against Forest at Old Trafford, registering his 20th assist of the season and equaling the Premier League assist record. Although Keane showed little enthusiasm for being United’s captain, he was level with Kevin De Bruyne and Thierry Henry for the most assists registered in a season.
Keane told last Monday’s Overlap: “When you’re captain of the club and you have to take the club forward, you don’t just think about your role in the team, you just assist. What I heard at United at the weekend was honestly upsetting. The whole conversation about his assist… everyone, the players[talking about it]the game was about his assist. That’s what it was all about.”
“He was interviewed after the game and the Manchester United captain said: “I should have taken a few shots, but I passed them.” Wow. How can you have a mindset where you care about your personal record rather than winning the match? ”
But that’s not what Fernandes actually said. Addressing United fans, the 31-year-old instead declared: “There were moments today where I probably should have passed instead of shot. I’m very happy with the assist, but more than that I’m happy with the win and ending the season on a good note.”
Now Fernandes, who cemented his place as the Premier League’s record for most assists in a single season with his 3-0 win over Brighton on Sunday, hit back at Keane and accused the former United captain of fabricating his comments.
Mr Fernandes told Stephen Bartlett: “I don’t care about the criticism.”
“I always accept criticism from everyone, but I never reply to anyone. People have opinions, whether it’s good or bad, whatever.
“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. Luckily for me everything is on record, but if it wasn’t then people would think Bruno is the player who always goes for the assist.”
“I even had Ole call me and send me a text message to say, ‘I don’t care about the criticism. I don’t like it when people lie about what I say,’ because this is beyond what I think is acceptable.”
Fernandes finished the 2025/26 season with nine goals and 21 assists in 35 Premier League appearances. He was named the division’s player of the year last week, capping a remarkable individual season.
