Joker Bruno is deadly serious about boosting his goals tally
BRUNO Fernandes has aimed a cheeky dig at his United teammates for not helping him increase his goals and assist tally for the club.
Fernandes has scored 18 goals and provided 14 assists in only 29 Premier League matches since arriving from Sporting Lisbon last January.
The attacking midfielder helped United finish third in the league last season - and his goal from the spot on Friday against Aston Villa left the
Reds level on points at the top of the table.
Despite his extraordinary goals and assists tally, Fernandes joked that his numbers should be even higher, if his teammates had finished the chances he had provided as well as creating more chances themselves.
Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial were among his targets - after missing chances that would have added to his impressive assist tally.
“With Marcus, there is always that kind of joke with him and Anto (Anthony Martial),” he told United’s official website.
“I say to them every time I pass to them, they never score. They never give me assists!
“You see again that Anto missed that chance against Leeds.
“Straight away, I looked at him and started smiling. He understands what I mean with that.
“I think it’s good, it’s positive. Of course, sometimes you have to shout at your team-mate and call him to do different things, that’s also a big part of the game, that you’re pushing a bit more for the other team-mates.
“Sometimes it’s with a smile, sometimes with other things, but the most important thing is understanding you’re doing your best for the team.”
Fernandes also poked fun at defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka who netted his first United goal in the game against Newcastle.
The Portuguese added the camaraderie among the squad can lead to good results on the pitch. He added: “I think it’s important, you know the spirit of the group is really important.
“I like to joke with the players. As I’ve said before, we are like a family.
“We spend a lot of time here (at the training ground).
“We go to the hotels and to the games and have a lot of time together.
“We have to have that connection, a good connection, so we are also having a good connection on the pitch.
“With Az ( Wan- Bissaka), it’s not just me – nobody knows Aaron can shoot like that.
“It was his first goal for Manchester, yes? His first goal in the Premier League also?
“So, of course, everyone was surprised because, even in training, he never shoots!”
I like to joke with the players. As I’ve said before, we are like a family
Bruno Fernandes