Sports
Bruno Fernandes Responds to Roy Keane’s Assist Record Criticism
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has hit back at claims that he has prioritised his own personal milestones over the achievements of the club, after scathing comments made by former midfielder Roy Keane.
It came after the Portugal international matched the assist record for a Premier League season, hitting the 20 mark for United by teeing up Bryan Mbeumo in a 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford.
With third place already sealed and a return to the Champions League on the cards, the record was the overarching story of the match, as Fernandes could’ve walked out with more than just the record-equalling assist to his name.
While it was amusing for some to watch the roller-coaster of emotions the Man United captain endured, Keane was far less impressed.
What Roy Keane Said About Bruno Fernandes Assist Record
While many at Manchester United celebrated the landmark assist registered by Fernandes in the win over Nottingham Forest, Keane slammed the club captain, suggesting trophies should come first.
Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, he said: “You’re going to get assists in that position he plays. Twenty would be better if you’re winning trophies. When you’re the captain of the club, and you’re supposed to be driving the club forward, do not be getting bogged down by your role in the team, just assists.
“I think what I heard at United at the weekend, I was raging with it. The whole chat about his assists and players talking about assists. He got interviewed after the match, and I was watching and everyone was talking about assists. The game was about his assists.
“After the game, he got interviewed, and he said in his interview, the captain of Man United, ‘A few times I should have shot, but I made them passes’ [he actually said he should have passed rather than shot].
“How can your mindset about football be going into a match and talking about an individual record? He’s going to get all of them stats anyway, but to become the main point of Manchester United’s performance at the weekend.
“I was cringing with all of them. And all of the players going over to him when he got the assist. What about the guy who scored the goal?”
Those comments caused some division, having gone viral, with some fans believing that the former captain was wrong in his assessment of the current holder of the armband.
While some have tried to defend Fernandes, the player himself has come out to give his thoughts on the claim.
With Man United’s uptick in form this season has come an improvement in Fernandes’s own personal performances, not only matching the assists record, but landing the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year award too.
After picking up the trophy, he was asked about Keane’s comments, and said (via the Mirror):
“It is not something that I will ever chase [individual awards].
“I know people can have different opinions about me, but they cannot say that I am not someone that looks to [help] the team and tries to make the team the most successful one. I will always try to win trophies and not individual accolades.”
Fernandes will certainly be hoping that this season’s form can carry into the next campaign, with more than just a third-place finish to show for his efforts.
That return to the Champions League is likely to keep the 31-year-old at Old Trafford, however, with his contract running until 2027 with the option of a further year.
Sports
FC Koln Want to Sign Sebastiaan Bornauw From Leeds
Leeds United fringe player Sebastiaan Bornauw is attracting interest from the Bundesliga, according to reports in Germany.
The Whites are planning for another year of Premier League football after finishing 14th in the table, eight points above the relegation zone, in their first season back in the top flight.
Bornauw joined the club last summer to help bolster their defensive options. He signed a four-year contract after a deal worth around £5m was agreed with German side VfL Wolfsburg.
He has been a fringe player under Daniel Farke, with just 771 minutes of action and just five starts in the Premier League.
FC Koln eye move for Leeds United defender
The 6ft 3in player is now wanted back in Germany by FC Koln, according to Bild.
The Bundesliga outfit finished six points above the relegation zone and are in the market for defensive reinforcements.
Cenk Özkacar joined the German side on loan from La Liga outfit Valencia but his move will not be made permanent.
While the defender was not a regular starter under Farke, the Leeds boss was keen to praise the player for his attitude and commitment during his first season in England.
Speaking in a press conference ahead of Leeds’ 2-1 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford in April, Farke branded Bornauw as ‘top class’ and hailed the player’s character for his willingness to play a back-up role within the squad.
Big summer awaits Leeds United
Leeds have ambitions to establish themselves as a consistent top-flight club but chairman Paraag Marathe has warned it will take at least three seasons for them to “truly operate like an established Premier League side”.
It makes this summer all the more important as the Whites must get their recruitment right.
Both Leeds and Sunderland, who have qualified for the Europa League, bucked the recent trend of all three promoted clubs getting relegated immediately.
With Coventry City, Ipswich Town and Hull City coming to the top flight, Leeds and other clubs in the lower third of the table know that minimal spending could risk being dragged into a relegation battle.
In a club statement released this week, Marathe outlined that a second season in the Premier League can prove even more difficult than the first one.
Leeds finished ninth in their first top-flight campaign under Marcelo Bielsa before dropping to 17th the following year. The season after that they were relegated.
With those years fresh in the mind, those in charge of recruitment at Elland Road will know what it takes for Leeds to continue moving forward.
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Sports
Chelsea Star Has Already Asked To Leave Before Xabi Alonso Arrives
Chelsea goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen has asked to leave Chelsea as he seeks more game time, GIVEMESPORT understands.
Jorgensen was number two behind Robert Sanchez this season and is set to fall further down the pecking order next campaign with the highly-regarded Mike Penders returning from his loan spell at Strasbourg.
Chelsea are open to a sale for the 24-year-old, who joined from Villarreal for just over £20million in the 2024 summer transfer window. He signed a seven-year contract upon arrival at Stamford Bridge and said: “This move is a dream come true. I am very excited to have signed for Chelsea, one of the biggest clubs in the world. I can’t wait to get to know everyone and to start playing with all my new teammates.”
Jorgensen made a big mistake in the Champions League
Since then, Jorgensen has made 34 appearances in two seasons at Chelsea, but only 11 of them have come in the Premier League.
The Dane made a costly error away at Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League after being given a surprise start at the Parc des Princes by then head coach Liam Rosenior.
Rosenior stuck up for his goalkeeper on the night, saying: “Players make mistakes. Filip’s not the first one and that’s part of football. Credit to him, he held his hands up in the dressing room. I make mistakes. Everybody makes mistakes.
“Sometimes they’re more costly. This is one of those moments. What we have to do for Rob [Sánchez] and for Filip and for all of the players is look after each other.”
Chelsea have not made a decision on selling Jorgensen
Seeing his pathway to a starting spot blocked by Sanchez, the desire to leave is primarily being driven by the player, and was directly communicated to Chelsea’s head of goalkeeping, Ben Roberts.
Jorgensen had also asked for a transfer in January as he hoped to lock down Denmark’s number one spot with a view to playing at the 2026 World Cup. In the end, Denmark didn’t qualify.
Porto, Besiktas and Genoa are three clubs who held an interest in the winter. Saudi Arabian side Al-Qadsiah have also been credited with an interest, and have explored some high-profile goalkeepers. Yet GMS understands their priority is first to add a centre-back, winger and forward this summer.
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Sports
Celtic Chiefs Working to Persuade Martin O’Neill to Take Charge Next Season
Celtic chiefs are working to persuade Martin O’Neill to take charge next season following a surprise update on Robbie Keane.
After a phenomenal end to a disappointing season that culminated in Celtic winning the double, club chiefs now have a decision to make on which direction they turn for their next boss.
The odds were stacked against the Hoops heading into the final five Scottish Premiership fixtures, but O’Neill once again showed his class by winning all five, including games against Rangers and Hearts, to lift the title.
Following the disastrous spell at the helm for Wilfried Nancy mid-season, the Northern Irishman took interim charge for the second time in the season and turned the Bhoys’ fortunes around.
Celtic decision-makers have now faced the decision of whether they stick with the 74-year-old, if he is willing to take the job on a full-time basis and stick around, or to look elsewhere.
One option who had been linked with the potential vacant post was Jens Berthel Askou following an outstanding season at Motherwell, but the Dane has joined Toulouse instead, ruling him out of the running.
Now it seems Celtic are ready to go all out to convince O’Neill to stay on.
Celtic Planning to Tempt O’Neill to Stay
According to Football Insider, the Celtic hierarchy are planning to ask O’Neill to remain as manager next season, despite the fact that they are compiling a new manager shortlist.
The Guardian reported in March that Robbie Keane was emerging as the frontrunner for the job, and talk among fans has increased after he resigned from his role as Ferencvaros manager in recent days.
However, Football Insider claim that while the 45-year-old is on their shortlist, he isn’t one of the leading contenders to take the reins at Parkhead.
As well as the ‘unbelievable’ O’Neill, other candidates are said to be ahead of the Republic of Ireland legend in the running.
Which Other Managers Could Celtic Target?
The same Guardian report also named Craig Bellamy as an option for Celtic, but the suggestion is that he is happy as manager of Wales and wants to continue to help the nation qualify for their home Euro 2028 tournament.
Elsewhere, two more names have been heavily linked with the Bhoys across the last 12 months.
One of those is Roberto Martinez, who is about to lead Portugal at the 2026 World Cup in North America, with his future to be decided after the tournament.
While he hasn’t managed in club football for a decade, there is a link at Celtic Park in the form of Shaun Maloney, who has both played and worked under the Spaniard previously.
The other name who keeps getting mentioned is Bodo/Glimt boss Kjetil Knutsen, who continues to make big waves with the Norwegian side.
The 57-year-old brilliantly led his team to the Champions League quarter-finals this season, beating Manchester City, Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan along the way.
If Celtic want a manager who could help them advance in Europe’s elite club competition, the experienced Norwegian might be the man.
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