Bruno Fernandes identifies the source of fault in response to Cristiano Ronaldo's criticism.

Bruno Fernandes and Cristiano Ronaldo have not had the same successful relationship at Man Utd that they have had for Portugal at the global arena.

Bruno Fernandes has denied claims that his Manchester United form suffers when Cristiano Ronaldo is on the field.

Both players are companions at club and international level, but Fernandes' form has suffered since Ronaldo's return to Old Trafford last summer. After scoring 29 goals and assisting 19 in his first 53 Premier League appearances since joining in January 2020, the former Sporting CP playmaker's numbers plummeted after Ronaldo arrived.

He has only scored eight goals and provided seven assists in the last 40 Premier League games, with his slump in form coinciding with United's - who finished sixth last season after three consecutive top-three finishes.

Ronaldo has did start just one Premier League game this season, a humiliating four-goal defeat at Brentford, but he has been a substitute in the four matches since when United has won 12 of 12 games, with Fernandes scoring and helping goals.

However, Fernandes clarified to The Athletic that there was no link between his numbers and Ronaldo's appearance: "Most of my assists last season were for him, so I don't think it's a coincidence" (it is fair). In terms of my own numbers, I just had a bad season. I don't believe it has anything to do with Cristiano or myself.

"Before he arrived, I was also taking penalties, but I had two chances last season and I missed both." So I don't blame Cristiano for taking penalties, particularly if he scores.

"When I did miss against Arsenal in April, he gave me the ball and told me, 'Go yourself and score.' I missed, but I had the impression that he expected me to be the one to step up and score in crunch time. So I don't think it's because of Cristiano; I believe it's because I didn't give it my all in some situations to score or assist."

"In the national squad, I play with him, and when I score, he is on the pitch," Fernandes continued, referring to the duo's time together in Portugal. It's actually really good to play with Cristiano as a No 10 since players respect him so much that it generates more space because opponents are afraid of him taking the ball and scoring.

Meet the Author

View Profile

---

sky sports

Blogger

follow me

Recommended Articles

---

Henrietta Okine

3 weeks ago

REASONS WHY YOU MUST EAT BANANAS EVERY DAY.

Health

Beatrice Benedict

3 weeks ago

PARENTS PROTEST AS DIPHTHERIA SPREADS IN KING'S COLLEGE LAGOS

Health

Fadlan Tipagya

3 weeks ago

LISANDRO MARTINEZ

Sports

Boanerge Michael

4 weeks ago

ELON MUSK IS OFFICIALLY $116 BILLION POORER THAN HIS PEAK—AS TESLA STOCK PULLS BACK MORE THAN 40%

Business & Industrial

DAVID APALOO

3 weeks ago

ISRAEL OFORI RELEASES SOULFUL GOSPEL SONG *MY EVERYTHING

Arts & Entertainment

Beatrice Benedict

2 weeks ago

BARCELONA REFUSES TO PLAY RESCHEDULED OSASUNA MATCH, SEE WHY

Sports

WINFRED KWAO

2 days ago

A SUCCESSFUL RIDER STORY

Books & Literature

Samuel Abiiro

A week ago

BLACK STARS MUST AVOID COMPLACENCY IN WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS – AUGUSTINE ARHINFUL

Sports

WINFRED KWAO

2 weeks ago

THE IMPORTANCE OF CHILD HEALTH: BUILDING A STRONGER FUTURE

Health

David Akudobe

A week ago

THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF REGULAR EXERCISE.

Health

sky sports

A week ago

MAN CITY'S PRIVATE RESERVATIONS REGARDING PHIL FODEN EMERGE

Sports

Elijah Jawu

A week ago

HOW AGES OF FOOTBALL COME

Sports