Alex Bruno News

Man Utd news: Bruno Fernandes transfer interest emerges as new signing announcement close

Manchester United have started a crucial summer as they look to build on the progress made under Michael Carrick over the second half of last season. Having been handed the job permanently, Carrick is looking to put his stamp on the squad. With Champions League football to look forward to, he is set to be backed financially in the transfer market. The midfield is an obvious priority area following Casemiro's departure and the team's general shortcomings in the centre of the pitch in recent seasons. Ederson is already on his way from Atalanta, while United have been linked with a string of other middlemen. Other areas of the pitch will be strengthened, while there could be some high-profile departures. As the summer transfer window continues, Mirror Football brings you a round-up of the latest United news... FOLLOW OUR MAN UTD FB PAGE! Latest United news and more on our dedicated Facebook page United are on the verge of confirming the signing of exciting midfielder Cristian Orozco. United struck a deal for the Fortaleza CEIF starlet last September but have to wait until July 13, when he turns 18, to register him. That will be followed by the formal club announcement of his arrival. The Colombian will be in Manchester before that date to begin the acclimation process, which includes English lessons. Given his age, Orozco, whose style of play has been likened to Chelsea's Moises Caicedo, is regarded as one for the future and will initially slot into United's under-21 setup. However, some first-team action next season isn't out of the question. With United involved in the Champions League, Carrick may rotate his side heavily in the Carabao Cup and some youngsters a chance. Reports emanating from Turkey claim Galatasaray are plotting an audacious bid for Bruno Fernandes . TRT Sport say the Istanbul giants are waiting until Portugal's interest in the World Cup is over before making their interest in the United captain official. However, it seems fanciful that Fernandes will be playing for any other club next season following the strides made under Carrick. He is believed to be relishing the opportunity to lead the team in the Champions League. Galatasaray have almost certainly missed the window of opportunity by about a year, given Fernandes was close to leaving United for the Saudi Pro League in the summer of 2025. With life at Old Trafford seemingly improving, the 31-year-old looks more likely to potentially see out his career at United, ruling out a move to Galatasaray or anywhere else. His current deal expires next summer but has the option of an extra year. Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

2026-07-02

Man Utd's summer transfer plans uncovered including Osimhen links and Fernandes latest

The World Cup is grabbing attention across North America but nearer to home the transfer window has opened and Manchester United are looking to bolster Michael Carrick's squad. A move for Brazil midfielder Ederson has been secured, after a £35m agreement was reached with Atalanta. But so far United have encountered setbacks in their bid to build upon it. Daily Star Sport's sister title the Manchester Evening News have been exploring the lack of progress and here, their Red Devils expert Tyrone Marshall looks at exactly what is on the agenda. The key figure when it comes to transfers at the Premier League giants is director of football Jason Wilcox, who often leads negotiations with agents and helps to sell the project at Old Trafford to players. Wilcox is also the person quoted when deals are confirmed. He is supported by the director of recruitment, Christopher Vivell, whose power base has grown at Old Trafford over the last 18 months or so. JOIN US ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page The former RB Leipzig and Chelsea transfer guru pushed for the signing of Benjamin Sesko last summer and heads up a recruitment department that has pivoted towards data over the last two years. Vivell oversees United's scouting operation, both in-person and data-led, and can be another key contact for agents. He also has a strong say in identifying targets to strengthen the squad. Another key figure is director of negotiations Matt Hargreaves, who leads negotiations on player sales and departures with other clubs, aiming to secure the best possible deal for United. But what are the tasks at hand for these figures? United continue to pursue a deal for Mateus Fernandes from West Ham and are targeting a left-sided player, a reserve goalkeeper, and an additional striker. Exits are also being considered, though Manuel Ugarte and Marcus Rashford are currently concentrating on the World Cup . Joshua Zirkzee might depart this summer, alongside a trio of shot-stoppers. I believe there's a strong possibility United will bring in another midfielder even if they land Fernandes, but it hinges on securing a buyer for Manuel Ugarte. He hasn't enjoyed a stellar World Cup, has now suffered an injury, and that will complicate efforts to generate interest in him. United have no desire to force him through the exit and they recognise he's two years into a five-year deal, meaning he still carries a book value of roughly £30million. That appears optimistic at present. However, if they can offload him, or arrange a loan with an obligation to purchase, then there's a plan to bring in a third midfielder this summer. I think of all the players mentioned, Carlos Baleba is the perfect player for United. It's relatively quiet around the 22-year-old but he remains on the radar. Unlike some of the other midfielders United have been chasing this summer, he is one they don't appear to face much rivalry for. The scouting team still rate him highly, as they did last summer, but the stumbling block remains the price tag. Brighton demanded £100million in 2025 and that asking price doesn't seem to have budged. But the longer United go without landing a top-tier midfielder, the more probable it becomes that Baleba re-enters their considerations. United might bring in a new left-back, though that isn't certain, but I can't envisage a situation where they recruit a centre-back. There is an appetite to sign a left-sided player this summer, but it could be a winger instead of a left-back, with Patrick Dorgu dropping deeper. Regarding the heart of defence, United boast five senior centre-backs in Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven. It's difficult to justify financially keeping six players in that role. The worry is clearly around fitness, with Maguire, Martinez and De Ligt all having endured their struggles. Martinez requires a campaign where he remains injury-free to secure a fresh deal, but there is optimism that the operation De Ligt underwent on his back means that problem is now resolved. Looking to the attack, United have been associated with Nigerian goal machine Victor Osimhen numerous times, but that boat has now sailed. The 27-year-old has been scoring goals aplenty for Galatasaray in Turkey, but it would require a hefty fee to secure him and he is on substantial wages, given the tax breaks for high earners in that country. I'm not convinced any club will strike a deal for Osimhen considering the financial implications in the current climate. Certainly not United, who view Benjamin Sesko as their future No. 9. Reports from Spain suggest Sesko is on their shortlist to replace Robert Lewandowski, although it's evident their prime target for that role is Julian Alvarez. United haven't received any offer or indication of interest from Barcelona for Sesko and aren't taking those links too seriously at present. There was considerable frustration over how Barca handled the Marcus Rashford deal, and United will be hesitant to engage in transactions with them for some time, even if they were inclined to sell Sesko. Which they're not. How many players United will purchase hinges on how the market evolves, who gets sold, what fees are generated and any opportunities that arise. But I would predict at least a second midfielder, and a third if Ugarte departs. A left-sided player, likely a left-back or left-winger, and at this point, it's improbable to be both. Then there will be a goalkeeper to provide cover for Senne Lammens and a striker to offer assistance to Sesko, though the latter may hinge somewhat on Zirkzee's future.

2026-06-29

Man Utd transfer news: Bruno Fernandes set to stay with goalkeeper targets revealed - Paper Talk

Football transfer gossip: Elliot Anderson is edging closer to a British record move to Man City; Chelsea are preparing to advance their interest in Maxence Lacroix with Como ready to bid for Trevoh Chalobah; Angus Gunn, Karl Darlow and Sam Johnstone linked with Man Utd

2026-06-24

Man Utd get approval to sign Champions League-winning midfielder for free

Manchester United could recruit a three-time Champions League winner to bolster their midfield with Dani Ceballos now available as a free agent. The Real Madrid star is no longer in Jose Mourinho's plans at the Santiago Bernabeu, with reports suggesting a "new chapter" is about to begin for the midfielder. United have made it clear they will focus on their midfield this summer, given the number of anticipated departures. Casemiro has left Old Trafford after his contract expired, while Manuel Ugarte and Mason Mount have both been linked with exits. Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo appear to be the foundation that Michael Carrick will construct upon in the centre of the pitch. Ederson will arrive at United once the World Cup finishes, with Sandro Tonali , Aurelien Tchouameni , Martin Baturina and Ayyoub Bouaddi all connected. However, with numerous targets carrying substantial price tags, the former Arsenal star could represent an affordable, high-quality option for Carrick. For instance, Tonali would require at least £80million while Tchouameni's valuation has climbed to an eye-watering £87m. Get the latest World Cup news straight to your inbox by signing up to our Make Football Great Again newsletter now! By comparison, Ceballos is available on a free transfer and would probably not require the same wage packet as his former Madrid colleague. Casemiro previously moved to United from the Spanish giants, penning a four-year contract worth an initial £60m. The Brazilian commanded a substantial portion of the squad's wages, collecting £350,000-a-week during his spell at Old Trafford. Removing this hefty salary from the books is welcome news for the club, who have no plans to offer a contract as generous as this in the foreseeable future. Ceballos recently collected around £4.3m annually at Madrid, which works out at roughly £85,000-a-week for his services. For perspective, Diogo Dalot currently earns the same figure at United. The 29-year-old has enjoyed tremendous success with Madrid, clocking up 215 appearances and claiming 15 major honours. Should United choose to acquire Ceballos, the remainder of the midfield budget can be allocated to pricier targets on the shortlist. £60m-rated Mateus Fernandes from West Ham features on the wishlist, with the player said to be eager for a switch to Old Trafford. World Cup star Martin Baturina is another playmaker Carrick fancies, with Sky Italia reporting that Aston Villa are equally interested in the Croatia international.

2026-06-21

Bruno Fernandes targeted as Cristiano Ronaldo's family get involved in World Cup row

Cristiano Ronaldo's sister Katia Aveiro has reacted to Bruno Fernandes' performance in Portugal's draw with DR Congo in their World Cup opener. The Manchester United midfielder featured for the entire match alongside Ronaldo but they were forced to settle for a point as their campaign got off to a disappointing start. Katia 'liked' an Instagram post from a Brazilian account commenting on the United skipper's showing for his nation. Roberto Martinez's team endured frustration despite Joao Neves' sixth-minute header as Newcastle United star Yoane Wissa equalised. Despite controlling 75 per cent of possession, only three efforts were directed on target - leaving Ronaldo without any attempts of his own. Fernandes also endured a lacklustre outing. Featuring a picture of the United star, the post read: "This one here is the Raphinha for Portugal. Too much popcorn for the national team." Get MEN Premium now for just £1 HERE – or get involved in our United WhatsApp group by clicking HERE . You can also join our United Facebook page by clicking HERE and don't miss out on our brilliant selection of newsletters HERE. It follows a strange surge of abuse directed towards Portuguese players and those close to them with Neves among those suffering the brunt of an online barrage. The Paris Saint-Germain star's Instagram comments were hijacked by angry Ronaldo supporters in light of his post-match comments. He said: "We know what Cristiano (Ronaldo) has done for this national team and for the world of football. "But right now, he is one of us. He is no different. He is an additional player to help and contribute to Portugal's performance just like all of us. "He played very well, the whole team had an excellent match. We are united. And in the long term, that's what will make the difference. It's not this draw that should ruin our morale. On the contrary, this result will only strengthen us further to do better in the upcoming matches." FOLLOW OUR MAN UNITED FB PAGE! Latest news and analysis via the MEN’s Manchester United Facebook page Vitinha and Pedro Neto have also seen their comments sections taken over with supporters demanding Ronaldo shown more respect. It has even been suggested that Neves' partner has also had her social media being bombarded by angry supporters of the five-time Ballon d'Or winner. Ronaldo also faced criticism for his limited impact during the fixture, recording just 25 touches against Congo. Yet, he remained on the pitch for the duration of the match. One Portugal supporter wrote on X: "Ronaldo just gets in the way, and only those who don't want to see it won't. It's ridiculous that he has a guaranteed place in the national team." Another added: "Ronaldo just sits in the box waiting for a miracle ball that never arrives." With seven minutes left on the clock, Martinez chose to introduce Goncalo Ramos, withdrawing Vitinha - a move that drew criticism from former England striker Chris Sutton. "He [Martinez] is scared to take him off," Sutton told BBC Radio 5 Live. "He is not the manager. He [Ronaldo] might score the winner, but the game passed him by. "He is a brilliant player. He was once the playmaker, but now he is the poacher. He is not only the poacher, but he runs the estate. I don't understand some of his management. Cristiano Ronaldo was on the periphery and Martinez has to be brave enough to be the manager." Martinez, meanwhile, defended the substitution by arguing it would have made little sense to remove the goalscorer while Portugal were pushing for a winner. "We were finding it difficult because they were playing in a back six," Martinez hit back. "And in a situation like that, you can use his qualities. "It makes no sense to get a player like Cristiano out of the game where you need goals. The straight line is not the quickest way. "The way he attracts defenders and uses space is valuable. When you need goals, you need a player like Cristiano Ronaldo on the pitch." Taking to Instagram following the final whistle, the Portugal icon wrote: "This was not the start we wanted but this is far from being over. Heads held high and focus on the next game." Portugal will be keen to respond to the disappointing outcome when they take on Uzbekistan on Tuesday (6pm). Colombia, meanwhile, one of Portugal's group rivals, defeated Uzbekistan 3-1 and currently lead Group K.

2026-06-19

FIFA World Cup 2026: Is Cristiano Ronaldo’s sister fueling Portugal tensions? Her backing of Bruno Fernandes criticism sparks debate

Cristiano Ronaldo’s sister has added more fuel to the growing debate around Portugal’s World Cup campaign after she liked a social media post that criticised Bruno Fernandes. The development came just a day after Portugal were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw by DR Congo in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. At the same time, Portugal manager Roberto Martinez is facing questions over his handling of Ronaldo, while reports have linked him with a possible move to Al Nassr after the tournament.Cristiano Ronaldo’s sister Katia Aveiro backs criticism of Bruno FernandesPortugal arrived in the United States as one of the favourites for the World Cup, but their campaign started on a frustrating note in Houston. Joao Neves gave Portugal an early lead with a well-taken header, yet Yoan Wissa scored before half-time to earn DR Congo a share of the points.As criticism grew after the result, Katia Aveiro, Cristiano Ronaldo’s sister, appeared to support a social media post aimed at Bruno Fernandes. The Instagram post, shared by a Brazilian football page, questioned Fernandes’ performances for Portugal and suggested he does not produce the same level of impact for the national team as he does for Manchester United.The post also compared Fernandes to Brazil winger Raphinha, who has faced criticism during the World Cup. Aveiro’s interaction with the post quickly attracted attention and sparked fresh discussion around tensions within the Portuguese football community.Cristiano Ronaldo and Roberto Martinez face growing pressure after DR Congo drawWhile Fernandes came under scrutiny online, much of the criticism after the match was directed at Cristiano Ronaldo and manager Roberto Martinez.Ronaldo struggled to influence the game and failed to register a shot on target. Despite Portugal searching for a winning goal in the closing stages, Martinez chose to keep the veteran forward on the field.Former England striker Chris Sutton criticised that decision during BBC Radio 5 Live coverage. “He is scared to take him off. He is not the manager. He might score the winner, but the game passed him by.”Martinez defended his choice after the match. “We were finding it difficult because they were playing in a back six,” Martinez said. “It makes no sense to get a player like Cristiano out of the game where you need goals.”Roberto Martinez linked with Al Nassr move alongside Cristiano RonaldoQuestions about Martinez’s future have also emerged. Reports suggest the Portugal coach is being considered by Al Nassr, the Saudi Pro League club where Ronaldo currently plays.Al Nassr are looking for a new manager following the departure of Jorge Jesus. If Martinez makes the move, he could reunite with Ronaldo at club level and also work with Joao Felix, who recently joined the Saudi side.For now, though, Martinez’s focus remains on helping Portugal recover from a disappointing start and keeping their World Cup hopes on track.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.

2026-06-18

Thierry Henry hits out at Cristiano Ronaldo after 'embarrassingly weak' observation

Thierry Henry has criticised Cristiano Ronaldo for putting himself before the Portugal team. The former Manchester United and Real Madrid superstar has come under fire following his woeful performance in the shock draw with DR Congo in their World Cup opener. Ronaldo, taking part in a record-equalling sixth World Cup, wasted two chances to win the game and looked a pale shadow of his former self. Despite his ineffective display, the 41-year-old played the entire match, prompting stinging criticism of manager Roberto Martinez from former Premier League striker Chris Sutton, who posted on X: "Embarrassingly weak from Roberto Martinez. "He should have hooked Ronaldo off but he's too scared of upsetting him. Ronaldo is essentially the manager of Portugal. Well played DR Congo … deserved the point." Meanwhile, Henry accused Ronaldo of putting his desire to score before the needs of the team. Speaking on Fox Sports, the France legend highlighted one particular moment where he appeared to get in the way of teammate Bruno Fernandes . Get the latest World Cup news straight to your inbox by signing up to our Make Football Great Again newsletter now! He said: "The team needs to score, not you need to score. Because he wants to score, he goes into the path of Bruno Fernandes. "If he goes into the six-yard box, you've been in that situation, Alexi [Lalas, fellow pundit], you would have had to follow him. Then it would have been a tap-in for Bruno Fernandes." On another incident, he added: "Because he wants to score, he goes in the path of the backpass. You see both players and it's easier for you to defend. And that's my thing, the team needs to score, not you." Meanwhile, Joe Cole has called for Ronaldo to be used more sparingly by Martinez. Speaking on the Rest is Football show, he asked: "What benefit is he going to be trying to play every minute of every game for eight matches? He needs to be used sparingly. The manager's got to be strong enough [to drop him]." The 1-1 draw with Congo has heaped pressure on Portugal and Martinez ahead of their remaining Group K matches against Uzbekistan and Colombia . Martinez said: "We started the match very well. Scoring should have been a great moment, but it wasn't. "I think we lost a bit of our attacking depth, lost fluency in possession, and allowed them to regain their shape somewhat. The confidence they gained after the goal made the game very difficult, but that’s what happens at World Cups." Portugal face Uzbekistan on Tuesday before a tough group finale against Colombia, who beat Uzbekistan 3-1, on June 28. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

2026-06-18

Bruno Fernandes makes classy Diogo Jota statement as Portugal aim to make World Cup history

Bruno Fernandes says the memory of Diego Jota will help inspire Portugal's bid to win the World Cup. The football world was left stunned last summer when Liverpool superstar Jota and his brother Andre Silva were both tragically killed in a car accident in their homeland. The world of sport went into mourning. And twelve months later, Fernandes insists his former team-mate and close friend is never out of the thoughts of the Portugal squad. Roberto Martinez's side kick off their campaign against DR Congo in Houston tomorrow. And Manchester United captain Fernandes said: "It's very important for us. He was in the group for so long and I played with him through the under-21s. Get the latest World Cup 2026 news in your inbox with our Make Football Great Again newsletter "We came to the first team at the same time, and I obviously played against him in the Premier League . Everyone has spoken about him. It will always be good words about him. He was a great team-mate, very down to earth and a great person for the country. "He's still part of our group - and always will be. So will his brother be, too. He will also be in our memories." Portugal have never won a World Cup - and Fernandes insists there is nothing wrong with dreaming this will change in the coming weeks. He added: "The best one (team) is the one that wins (the tournament), and I hope at the end we can claim to be that. "I do believe we have a very talented squad with great individual quality and beyond that, we are a very cohesive team and united. That what's makes this team special. "Our dream is to be there. I think dreaming is not forbidden. But our main focus is to start well and focus on the first game in hand. "If we really want to reach the top, we have to not look too far ahead. There is a responsibility, because this team has so many talents, we just have to be decisive to reach the top." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

2026-06-17

Ronaldo as excited for sixth World Cup as his first, says Martinez

Cristiano Ronaldo is preparing for his sixth World Cup as if it was his first, said Portugal coach Roberto Martinez as he hailed the 41-year-old as "an example and a reference for football." Armed with a richly talented generation, Portugal are among the favourites to win the World Cup for the first time. Ronaldo's continued presence in Martinez's team has sparked debate over whether he is still a positive influence. No one can match the five-time Ballon d'Or winner's 143 international goals. But he has failed to net in his last nine matches at major tournaments and offers little in a defensive role when the opposition are in possession. Martinez, though, has no doubt he remains Portugal's best option up front. "He is an example and a reference for football. For all those children on the street who begin to feel the love for sport, following the example of Cristiano Ronaldo is wonderful," Martinez told a press conference ahead of Portugal's World Cup opener against DR Congo. "It is his sixth World Cup, but I can say that internally it seems to be his first World Cup in terms of intensity, in terms of emotional output, of how important it is for him to be prepared to lead the group. "Within the team he is a vital player because he is the finisher, he is the player in the penalty area, he is the player who has those movements that can open spaces for other players. Within our attacking game, his numbers reflect the importance he has." Bruno Fernandes said his first experience of a major tournament as a child came on home soil, when a 19-year-old Ronaldo helped Portugal reach the final of Euro 2004. "All of us in this national team we have grown up watching Cristiano Ronaldo play and for us it's such an honour to play next to him now in the same team," said the Manchester United captain. "We're all here to support him and to support Portugal to go as far as possible." 'DREAMING NOT FORBIDDEN' Fresh from winning Premier League player of the year accolades, Fernandes is part of one of the strongest midfields in the World Cup. Vitinha and Joao Neves have recently won a second consecutive Champions League with Paris Saint-Germain, while Bernardo Silva is set to join Real Madrid after a trophy-laden nine years at Manchester City. "We have a very strong team, great individual quality, and beyond the individual quality and the strengths that we have as individual players, I think we are a very cohesive team, a very united team," added Fernandes. "Obviously our dream is to be there (winning the World Cup) and I think that dreaming is not forbidden." Portugal will also face tournament debutants Uzbekistan and Colombia in Group K. Martinez, though, warned against looking beyond DR Congo after the shock Spain suffered in being held 0-0 by Cape Verde in their opening match. "We've got very little to win tomorrow from the outside. If you win against Congo, it's expected. If you win by one, it's a big problem. If you draw, it's a catastrophe. If you lose, this is the end of the world," said the Spaniard. "They come with no expectations, they are enjoying being here. We've seen incredible performances from teams like Qatar, Cape Verde, exemplary performances, that shows you that there are no easy games in a World Cup." Martinez also confirmed reports he is set to leave his role after the World Cup when his contract expires. "My contract ends after the World Cup. This is not news, this is just a fact," he added. "We're now focused on finishing the work that we've begun three-and-a-half years ago. "When I came to Portugal the focus was to try to win everything, but most importantly to prepare for the World Cup." -------------------------------- Where to watch the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Fans can watch every FIFA World Cup 2026™ match live on DStv Premium, Compact Plus, Compact, Family and Access. All matches are also available to stream on supported packages, ensuring flexible viewing options wherever you are. How to stream the FIFA World Cup 2026™ With DStv Stream, you can follow every match anytime, anywhere. Download the app and enjoy seamless live streaming on the go. GET DStv | START STREAMING

2026-06-17

Furious Roy Keane tears into Bruno Fernandes and Man Utd players' behaviour in wild rant

Roy Keane has delivered a blistering critique of Manchester United's players and Bruno Fernandes for placing the captain's assist record above simply securing victory. The United legend targeted his former club and challenged their mindset, given the excessive focus on Fernandes breaking the record rather than the team merely winning. Fernandes matched the Premier League assist record after notching his 20th of the campaign against Nottingham Forest to set up Bryan Mbeumo. The Portugal international equalled the tally previously achieved by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne . Keane was astonished by the mentality shown by the United squad and insisted that focus should only turn to such 'sideshows' after securing silverware. JOIN US ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page "You're going to get assists in that position he plays. 20 would be better if you're winning trophies," Keane said on Stick to Football, reports the Mirror . "When you're the captain of the club and you're supposed to be driving the club forward, do not be getting bogged down by your role in the team, just assists. I think what I heard at United at the weekend, I was raging with it. "The whole chat about his assists and players talking about assists. He got interviewed after the match, and I was watching and everyone was talking about assists. The game was about his assists. After the game he got interviewed and he said in his interview, the captain of Man United, 'A few times I should have shot but I made them passes' [Fernandes actually said he should have passed rather than shot]. "How can your mindset about football be going into a match and talking about an individual record? He's going to get all of them stats anyway but to become the main point of Manchester United's performance at the weekend, I was cringing with all of them. "And all of the players going over to him when he got the assist. What about the guy who scored the goal?" Gary Neville chimed in, stating: "There was nothing on the game, United had finished in the Champions League , Forest had already stayed up." But Keane retorted: "If your mindset is like that going into the game, what's to say it's not like that in other games? You say there's nothing in the game, there's always something on the game. There was 70,000 at the match yesterday. "I'm just saying, all the players talking about Bruno's assists, when you're not winning anything. If you're winning stuff and players are getting individual awards, fantastic. Golden Boot, thumbs up to that, player of the year, no problem. But that's further down the line. "The priority is the team. Man United's priority this weekend was Bruno getting an assist. Not winning a football match. Not strikers getting goals or defenders or being good at set pieces or keeping a clean sheet. There's other parts of football that are really important so for one player to get bogged down with assists and his team aren't winning anything, that's my issue. "That will happen anyway. Bruno will get loads of assists the position he plays and he's got runners ahead of them. "What's the point? What's the point? You're part of a team game. What's the priority of the team? To try to win. Of course, he's doing his job, he's a brilliant player, and he's player of the year, he's getting the rewards, and in the summer, he'll probably get another new deal because he's threatening to go to Saudi Arabia. "We've been down this road before. He's got previous. So for a player to get assists and that becoming the priority, that will come when your team is focused on trying to win the big prizes and keeping clean sheets. "If they win the league next year and he gets 20 assists, I'll say 'You know what, well done Man United on winning the league and Bruno, well done'. That's a little sideshow. That can't become the main show. "Is he not contributing to the team trying to keep clean sheets? That's part of his job," Keane continued. "If you're going into a game and it's affecting your decision-making, listen to his interview after the game. "There were chances for him to shoot yesterday, particularly in the second half but everyone was getting bogged down with assists. When he got the assist, they all ran over, forget the goalscorer. The assists should be the backup to everything else. The assists became the story. How can the assists become the story at Manchester United ? "Look at the second half, he admitted himself. First half he had a few shots but then it all became about the assists. "What do you get for it? What's the reason for playing for Man United? What's the number one priority when you play for Man United?" Neville suggested that Fernandes remained because he wanted to secure silverware at United. Yet Keane fired back: "And he won't be winning trophies. Not with that mindset of the team yesterday, where they've given up two goals and everyone's getting all giddy because he's equalled a record for assists. It's mindboggling. It's a circus act." The Irishman still managed to draw a few chuckles during the debate, though. Carrying on with his evaluation, he said: "Players won awards at United it was fantastic but not where that was the main chat. "You're on about winning player of the year, I got player of the year once and nobody turned up at the dinner. That's not my priority. My priority is winning trophies." With a laugh, Nevillie stated: "We had a game that week." Leaning across the table, Ian Wright chuckled: "That's still touching you deep." Keane interjected with a wry grin: "I'm not one to hold a grudge Ian." While Keane may remain unconvinced, Fernandes actually expressed greater satisfaction in securing three points against Forest and suggested he should have perhaps passed more instead of seeking the glory of a goal. It seems Keane misinterpreted Fernandes' comments. Speaking after the match, Fernandes said: "Everyone knew that it was important that I could get another assist at least. They've been trying everything they can to score from my passes. "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."

2026-05-19