Roy Keane has criticised Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, accusing him of becoming too focused on the Premier League assist record.
Fernandes equalled the single-season Premier League record of 20 assists during United’s 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest on Sunday. He now sits level with Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne and could break the record in United’s final game of the season against Brighton.
But Keane was far from impressed. The former United captain said the attention around Fernandes’ assists had become a distraction and questioned whether the midfielder was prioritising individual recognition over the team.
Speaking on The Overlap, Keane said he was frustrated by what he heard around United after the Forest match.
“When you’re the captain of a club and you’re supposed to be driving the club forward, do not be getting bogged down by just your role in the team, just assists,” Keane said.
“What I heard at United at the weekend, honestly, I was raging with it. The whole chat about his assists. Everyone, the players were talking about it, the game was about his assists.”
Keane was particularly unhappy with Fernandes’ own post-match comments. The Portugal international admitted there were moments when he probably should have shot but chose to pass instead.
That admission angered Keane, who questioned the mindset behind it.
“How can your mindset be not to win the match but be about an individual record?” he asked.
Gary Neville suggested that Fernandes still cares deeply about winning trophies and pointed to his commitment to the club, but Keane remained unconvinced.
“He won’t be winning trophies, not with that mindset of the team,” Keane said. “They’re giving up two goals and everyone’s getting all giddy because he’s equalled the record for assists. It’s mind-boggling. It’s a circus act.”
Keane also criticised Fernandes’ body language when teammates missed chances from his passes. He argued that, as captain, Fernandes should be encouraging struggling players rather than reacting with frustration.
“Bruno gives a pass and they missed it,” Keane said. “What did Bruno do after he missed it? He went on the floor. Why is he falling? He’s disappointed for himself.
“His striker is having a difficult spell and missed a couple of chances, and he’s thinking of himself.”
Fernandes still has the chance to make Premier League history against Brighton this weekend. But Keane’s comments have added a sharper edge to the debate around the United captain, his leadership and whether individual milestones should matter so much during a difficult season for the club.
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