Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes has hit back at critics who describe him as a penalty merchant.
The 25-year-old joined the Red Devils in the January transfer window and made an immediate impact.
Bruno scored 12 goals across all competitions and recorded eight assists as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side secured Champions League football.
However, eight of his goals came by way of penalties and he was subtly jabbed for that statistic by Jose Mourinho.
In July, the Tottenham manager admitted that Fernandes has improved Man United, cynically claiming the midfielder scored 20 penalties.
“Bruno came in, was fit, played very well, improved the United team and also proved to be a great penalty taker, one of the best in the world, because he had about 20 to score,” Mourinho said.
However, responding to the Portuguese coach, Fernandes said it’s not his fault that he’s such a good penalty taker.
“I honestly did not feel stung. I feel that I am a good penalty taker and nothing more, I understand, but what I take from his [Mourinho’s] words, because I’m a very positive person, is that he said I hit penalties well,” he told A Bola.
“It is a reality, not least since I arrived at Manchester United.”
Defending his record, he cited his assists record saying only Manchester City’s Kevin de Brunye has been involved in more goals than him since he arrived in England.
“I hear people saying, ‘ah, he only scores from penalty kicks’ but a little while ago, I saw the statistics and, except for penalties, only Kevin De Bruyne has a higher involvement in goals than me in England when it comes to midfielders,” Fernandes added.
The Man United star is currently on international duty with Portugal for the UEFA Nations League.
