Bruno Fernandes has hit back at Roy Keane’s comments, calling the Manchester United legend a liar. The Portuguese midfielder said Keane’s interpretation of his remarks was wrong, and revealed he even tried to get Keane’s number to “have a word” after the criti
Bruno Fernandes didn’t just bristle at Roy Keane’s latest jab—he went for the heart of it.
After a season that has kept him firmly in the spotlight, the Manchester United midfielder has now labeled Keane a “liar,” insisting the Manchester United legend misread what he said and twisted it into something it wasn’t.
Fernandes pointed to a specific argument that played out after Keane tore into him on The Overlap. The criticism was aimed at Fernandes seemingly “admitting” he was targeting the assists record rather than focusing on the team. Fernandes says that framing is simply not true.
He explained that he had criticised himself for shooting when he should have passed during Manchester United’s match against Nottingham Forest on May 17. But Keane. Fernandes believes. took the point in the opposite direction—claiming Fernandes had effectively admitted to passing only to reach the assists record.
Fernandes said the version Keane presented was dishonest. “What I don’t like is when people lie about things. and in this case. what you said about Roy Keane. basically. what he said is a lie.” He added that everything can be checked because “everything is on record. ” and argued that if it wasn’t. people would leave believing Fernandes is “always the guy trying to go for the assist.”.
Fernandes also pushed back on the idea that his priorities have changed. His “number creations” are, he said, the same as always—arguing that his play has stayed consistent since he arrived in the Premier League and that his focus has been creating chances rather than chasing a personal milestone.
“I’ve always showed a lot of respect for Roy Keane and for everything he’s done for the club and everything he’s always said,” Fernandes told The Diary of a CEO. “I’ve never said something wrong.”
The frustration, he said, isn’t criticism itself. It’s what he sees as people inventing meaning beyond what he actually said. He maintained that he has “always said I don’t mind criticism” and that he rarely replies. But this time, he felt the criticism had “gone a little bit over the top.”
He revealed he even tried to reach Keane directly. “I even asked Ole [Gunnar Solskjaer] his number to text him to have a word with him,” Fernandes said, to make his position clear: “I don’t mind the criticism, I don’t like when people lie about the things that I say.”
What Fernandes said he’s willing to accept is clear. “I accept he can say things I don’t like. That improves me.” What he won’t accept is the idea that he doesn’t respect Keane’s place at the club—or that he’s been playing for a stat at the expense of winning.
He also offered a blunt request from a player who clearly wants the tone to shift. “He can criticise me. kill me. say that I’m not good enough. that I’m not a good captain. not a good player for the club. whatever. it’s okay. I don’t mind.” But. he added. he “can’t accept his mistruth. ” and would rather Keane offered praise sometimes—especially after an achievement “not many players achieve.”.
Fernandes’ season has given him plenty to point to. Against Brighton on Sunday, he recorded his 21st assist of the campaign—a Premier League record. That performance came as he set up Patrick Dorgu’s opening goal. In doing so, he surpassed Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne, who in their best campaigns managed 20 assists.
The numbers keep stacking. According to Squawka, the 31-year-old created a total of 136 chances throughout the season, with Dominik Szoboszlai the second-best far behind on 78.
There’s also the backdrop of United’s schedule. United have had an arguably easier ride this campaign because they have not participated in European competition. Fernandes has played 35 Premier League games and completed 31.
The comparison to De Bruyne adds another layer to the debate over what success looks like. In 2019-20, when De Bruyne reached 20 assists, he also featured in 35 Premier League games but completed a full 90 minutes in 26—while City balanced their domestic campaign with the Champions League.
Fernandes’ argument sits uncomfortably close to comments from others about the value of assists. Solskjaer himself questioned them a few seasons ago, saying: “What does an assist consist of?. A square pass and Bruno hits the top corner or when Paul [Pogba] plays a great pass through and Mason [Greenwood] runs past?” Solskjaer added: “Paul’s always been a top passer. one of the best in European football… I don’t count assists, it’s all social media.”.
The back-and-forth now lands with a sharper edge because Fernandes isn’t arguing only about tactics—he’s arguing about words. Keane’s reading is what Fernandes is challenging, not the fact that the debate exists.
And for Keane, it’s the same story: the moment he believes he’s defending the team first, he leans into the criticism. For Fernandes, it’s the opposite—he says the team has always been the point, and that the only real mistake was someone making up meaning where none was meant.
Bruno Fernandes Roy Keane Manchester United Premier League The Overlap Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Brighton Nottingham Forest assists record