Bruno Fernandes Accuses Roy Keane of Lying After 21 Assists Record

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes accused Roy Keane of telling a “lie” about his pursuit of the Premier League assists record after Fernandes set a new benchmark by becoming the first player ever to provide 21 assists in a single English top-flight campaign.

“- Published Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes firmly defended his character and achievements as he accused Roy Keane of telling a "lie" about his pursuit of the Premier League assists record”

BBC

Fernandes made history on Sunday in United’s 3-0 win over Brighton at the Amex Stadium, setting up Patrick Dorgu for the opener as the club finished on 71 points for the season and secured third place.

BBC

Keane, who had earlier questioned Fernandes’ mindset on The Overlap after the 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest, appeared to respond with a cryptic Instagram post featuring a donkey and the words “Too much attention makes a donkey think he’s a lion”.

Keane’s dispute with Fernandes centered on what the captain said after the Forest game, with BBC Sport reporting Fernandes’ actual post-match remarks as “There were probably moments today when I should have passed instead of shot.”

Fernandes told The Diary of a CEO podcast that he “never reply to anything whatsoever” and said what he “don't like is when people lie about things,” adding that “this case that you said about Roy Keane basically, what he said is a lie”.

In the same dispute, Keane had argued on The Overlap that Fernandes’ focus on the assist record meant “He won't be winning trophies, not with that mindset of the team.”

beIN SPORTS

The BBC reported that Keane posted the donkey image on Instagram on Monday evening after Fernandes’ response, while Fernandes said he hoped to contact Keane to set the record straight.

BBC Sport also said Fernandes’ anger was clear as he complained that Keane “puts words in my mouth that have not been said,” and it noted Fernandes had contacted Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to ask for Keane’s phone number.

Fernandes’ record-setting campaign included 21 assists and nine Premier League goals, and talkSPORT said the win over Brighton moved Manchester United onto 71 points and third place.

“Roy Keane has posted a cryptic message on Instagram just hours after an interview in which Bruno Fernandes slammed the Manchester United legend”

Football365

The BBC said Fernandes’ efforts were rewarded in May when he collected the Football Writers' Association men's Player of the Year and the Premier League Player of the Season awards, while it also described United’s return to the Champions League after a two-season absence.

In the background of the feud, the BBC reported that Fernandes says he has contacted former United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to ask for Keane's phone number so he can confront the issue, and it also noted that Keane had described Fernandes as being at the centre of a “circus act” after the 3-2 victory over Nottingham Forest.

Meanwhile, talkSPORT said Fernandes’ assist record was built by setting up Patrick Dorgu in the Red Devils’ 3-0 win over Brighton at the Amex Stadium on the final day of action, keeping the spotlight on both the on-field output and the off-field argument.