Bruno Fernandes has dismissed any suggestion he is focussed on individual accolades, after Roy Keane’s rant on him equalling the Premier League assist record.
The Manchester United captain hit 20 assists for the season on Sunday, equalling the record held by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne, in the 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest.
The Portuguese star’s pursuit of the record, which he could break on Sunday, has become a narrative in recent weeks and Keane is not on board with it.
‘For it to become the main point of Man United’s performance at the weekend, I was cringing with all of them,’ Keane said on the Stick to Football podcast. ‘All the players when he got the assists, going over to him, what about the guy who scored the goal?’
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He added: ‘He won’t be winning trophies, not with that mindset of the team yesterday where they’re giving up two goals and everyone’s getting all giddy because he’s equalled a record for assists. It’s mind-boggling. It’s mind-boggling. It’s a circus act.’
Fernandes was pleased to equal the assist record in a game that Manchester United won at Old Trafford and insisted that it was just a bonus rather than a driving force.
Speaking as he won the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year, he explained: ‘It is not something that I will ever chase.
‘I know people can have different opinions about me but they cannot say that I am not someone that looks to the team and tries to make the team the most successful one. I will always try to win trophies and not individual accolades.’
Speaking after the victory at Old Trafford on Sunday, Fernandes told Sky Sports: ‘Everyone knew it was important that I could get another assist at least and they’ve been trying everything they can to score from my passes.
‘There was probably moments today that I should have passed instead of shoot but still I took the shot. I’m very happy for the assist but more than that I’m very happy for the win and to finish the season on a high.
‘It’s a privilege and a pleasure for me [to be considered for Premier League Player of the Season]. I want collective awards more than anything but knowing that your job is being recognised by many people, I’m very grateful and I’m very happy with it.’
Keane felt it was inappropriate to be hailing an individual achievement when Manchester United have gone the whole season without competing for silverware.
‘If you’re on the back of winning stuff and players are getting individual stuff then fantastic,’ said the Irishman. ‘Man United’s priority this weekend was Bruno getting assists. For one player to get bogged down with assists and his team aren’t winning anything, that’s my issue.
‘If they win the league next year and he’s got 20 assists then I’ll say well done Man United and well done Bruno, but that’s a sideshow, that can’t become the main show.
‘The assists became the story of the weekend, how can assists be the story at Man United?’
Red Devils boss Michael Carrick was full of praise for Fernandes after he picked up his Football Writers Footballer of the Year award, saying he is an exemplary leader at the club.
‘To be the captain of Manchester United and lead like Bruno has for such a long time… I was at the club [when he joined] originally and to see him walk through the door and evolve and lead the club moving forward is a real joy,’ said Carrick.
‘It’s not easy being a leader at such a big club but he’s taken it on unbelievably well and to be so consistent over time is something we really appreciate.
‘I suppose you all see the headlines and the creativity but to be so consistent every day, in how he lives his life. We try to give him a day off, but he’s there before me, eating his scrambled eggs!
‘He’s there every single day, he looks after himself and does everything right. Mentally he’s there and he takes the responsibility of looking after the young players and leading by example.
‘He’ll get a lot of headlines for the assist record and his performances this season, but I think it’s what happens off the pitch that I appreciate. He’s a special footballer and we’re lucky to have him in this league, and at this football club.’