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‘It’s NOT because of Cristiano’: Bruno Fernandes insists his faltering form in front of goal has nothing to do with Ronaldo… as Manchester United’s midfielder numbers have fallen by more than TWO-Thirds since the superstar’s arrival
- Bruno Fernandes has insisted Cristiano Ronaldo not ruin his goalscoring record
- The Manchester United star has scored 29 goals in his first 53 league games
- But he has seen his goal tally drop by more than two-thirds since Ronaldo’s arrival
- Fernandes attributed his lack of goals to a ‘bad season’ last season
- Both Red Devils stars have been named in Portugal’s Nations League roster
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Bruno Fernandes is convinced his shaky goalscoring form for Manchester United has nothing to do with Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival last summer.
Since Ronaldo’s return to Old Trafford, the 28-year-old midfielder has experienced a significant setback in terms of contributions to goal.
Fernandes netted 29 goals and 19 assists in his first 53 Premier League appearances after switching from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020, quickly establishing himself as the Red Devils’ talisman.
Bruno Fernandes insisted his poor scoring form had nothing to do with Cristiano Ronaldo
Fernandes has seen his goal tally fall by more than two-thirds since Ronaldo arrived at Old Trafford
However, sharing the dressing room with his Portuguese compatriot, the United star saw his goal tally plummet by more than two-thirds and has since scored no more than eight in 40 league appearances.
Wanting to denounce any suggestion that Ronaldo was responsible, Fernandes admitted he had a ‘bad season’ last season and couldn’t blame Ronaldo for taking his duties away from the penalty spot.
“Most of my assists last season were for him, so I don’t think (it’s fair),” he said the athletic.
“In terms of my own numbers, I just had a bad season. I don’t think it’s about Cristiano or me.
“Before he came, I also took the penalties, but I had two chances to take the penalties last season and I missed both. So I can’t blame Cristiano for taking penalties, especially when he scores them.
The midfielder admitted his shaky goal tally was the result of his ‘poor season’ last campaign
“When I missed Arsenal in April, it was he who gave me the ball and said, ‘Go and score yourself’. I missed, but I felt he trusted me to be the one to score at the big moment.
“So I don’t think it’s Cristiano’s fault, but because at times I didn’t give the best of myself to get goals or assists.”
The two Red Devils stars have been named in Fernando Santos’ Nations League roster ahead of Portugal’s clashes against the Czech Republic on Saturday and Spain on Tuesday.
Fernandes insisted that his problems in front of goal were no problem when they share the field with Portugal.
The Manchester United duo are both included in the Portuguese squad for the Nations League
“In the national team I play with him and when I score, he is on the pitch,” he said.
“Playing Cristiano as a number 10 is actually very good because players respect Cristiano so much that it creates more space because the opponents are afraid that he will take the ball and score.
“I played the last four Premier League games without Cristiano starting and only scored one goal. So it’s not up to Cristiano. It’s about momentum, timing. Sometimes it goes in a bad way and sometimes in a better way.
“Of course he can play very well together, for someone who gives assists, if you give him the right ball, he will score goals.”