Bruno Fernandes reveals tweak he’d make to assist system as history looms

“I had to celebrate three times, 100 assists! But I don’t even know which ones they took out as non-assists or not.”

“For example, I would give myself an assist for Burnley at home [in 2021] and I did it on more than one occasion also. Marcus [Rashford] passed to me and I faked I was going to take it and opened my legs [to let the ball go through], for Mason Greenwood to score.”

“That is more of an assist for me than some others. If I don’t do the dummy, the defender would never come with me and leave Mason alone.”

He added, “But as you said it counts as the last one who touched the ball. I need to start touching the ball when it comes through my legs, a little touch!”

Fernandes cast doubt on whether assists for own goals should count, while also voicing his opposition to the concept of pre-assists.

“I have seen some players talking about that but, come on, let’s not do the pre-assists! The assist is enough. Assisting a goal, which is counting all the time. Let’s count that one. I don’t think we’re going to have players asking for a trophy for pre-assists, secondary chances created!”

Separately, he made clear his ambition to keep playing at an elite level for as long as possible.

“I just want to play as much as I can until the end of my career. Because we all know it’s a very short career. I want to enjoy it as much as I can because won’t be able to do it for a long, long, long period.”

“I’m going to make it as long as possible, but not as long as I would like to. So, for me, it’s about enjoying it. If I’m in good shape and a good way of being helpful to the team, I will always put myself in line to play.”

To go with his 19 assists, Fernandes can also lay claim to eight goals this term.

Featured image by Michael Regan/Getty Images

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