Bruno Fernandes has dismissed suggestions that he struggles to play his best game while playing alongside Manchester United and Portugal teammate Cristiano Ronaldo.
In 2021-22, the 27-year-old scored 10 goals and registered 14 assists in 46 games across all competitions for the 20-time English champions.
However, the attacker was unable to maintain his best form for long stretches of the season, and there are concerns that Ronaldo’s arrival disrupted his rhythm at Old Trafford.
What Has Bruno Fernandes Said On Playing Alongside Ronaldo?
Fernandes has maintained that he enjoys playing alongside the 37-year-old, who has only scored once for the Red Devils this season.
“Most of my assists last season were for him, so I don’t think (it is fair). I just had a poor season in terms of my own numbers. I don’t think it is about Cristiano,” Fernandes said to The Athletic.
“Before he came I was taking the penalties but I had two chances to take them last season and I missed both. So I cannot blame Cristiano for taking penalties, especially when he scores them.
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“When I missed against Arsenal in April, it was him who gave me the ball and said, ‘Go yourself and score’. I missed but I felt that he trusted me to be the one to step up in the big moment.
“So I don’t think it is because of Cristiano, it is because I didn’t do the best in myself in some moments to get goals or assists. In the national team I play with him and when I score, he is on the pitch.
“To play with Cristiano as a number 10 is actually really good because players respect him so much that it creates more space, as the opponents are afraid of him taking the ball and scoring.
“I played the last four Premier League games without Cristiano starting and I scored only one goal. So it is not because of Cristiano. Sometimes it goes in a bad way and sometimes a better way.”
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