BRUNO FERNANDES has hit back at Jose Mourinho’s claim he only scores penalties.
But the stats show he relied on spot kicks more than any other player in the Premier League last season.
The Manchester United playmaker played a crucial role in the Red Devils’ season following his January arrival from Sporting.
He racked up 12 goals and eight assists in all competitions as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men finished in the top four and reached the Europa League semi-finals.
But with eight of those strikes, 66.7 per cent, being penalties, he was dubbed a “pro penalty taker” on Wikipedia while some critics hit out at Fernandes being a one-trick pony – including compatriot Mourinho.
The Spurs boss said: “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.”
Speaking to A Bola, the Portuguese star hit back, and even put himself alongside Man City star Kevin de Bruyne for his influential role in games: “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.
“It is a reality, not least since I arrived at Manchester United. 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.”
Manchester United were awarded a whopping 22 penalties during the 2019/20 season
No one in the Premier League who scored at least ten in all competitions last season had a higher percentage of their goals coming from the spot.
The closest to Fernandes’ 66.7 per cent was Troy Deeney with 50 per cent (five of ten) followed by Willian (four of 11, 36.4 per cent), Marcus Rashford (seven of 22, 31.8 per cent) and De Bruyne (four of 16, 25 per cent).
Fernandes scored eight and assisted seven in his 14 Premier League games last season since his United debut on February 1 – no other player in the division managed more than 12 goal involvements in that time.
De Bruyne, who matched Thierry Henry’s record tally of 20 assists in a Premier League season last term, was involved in 15 goals in all competitions since Fernandes joined – 11 in the league – with nine goals and six assists.
Interestingly, with the Belgian playing fewer minutes, he either scored or assisted a goal every 91 minutes whereas Fernandes’ record was every 92 minutes.
Kevin De Bruyne managed 20 assists and pipped Fernandes for his goal-involvement rate since the Portuguese star arrived at Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty Images – Getty
This was a familiar sight in Manchester United matches with Fernandes scoring eight penalties for the club last seasonCredit: EPA
Manchester United through to Europa League semi-finals after Bruno Fernandes nets Red Devils’ ‘21st penalty of the season’ in extra time versus impressive F.C. Copenhagen side
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
