Bruno Fernandes admits he is proud to be among Manchester United greats in terms of goal contributions but knows it means little without also returning trophies.
Fernandes celebrated three years at United in January, having signed from Sporting Lisbon as a 25-year-old in January 2020. The Portuguese midfielder quickly became a fan-favourite around Old Trafford and has gone on to make 158 appearances, recording his 100th goal involvement with the opener during the 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace just days before the anniversary.
Now at 103 goal involvements across those 158 appearances, the 28-year-old's rate of a goal or assist every 1.53 games on average is within touching distance of the likes of Wayne Rooney (1.40), Ruud van Nistelrooy (1.25) and Eric Cantona (1.27). But while Fernandes is proud to be in the same bracket as historical greats, the midfielder knows one major aspect of his career in M16 that is missing.
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“It makes you proud," Fernandes told United's website when compared with the trio. "It makes you understand that statistically you’re doing really well, but there are other things that I want to reach with this club. I will go for that, I will go for the trophies.
"As I said, I want to keep my numbers, I want to score goals, I want to do assists. I want to keep my standards and my levels at the same that those players did. They did that and they helped the club to win trophies. I think I’m in a good way doing that, in a short period of time probably, and hopefully the trophies will start to come to the club and I will start winning with the club.”
Fernandes went some way to achieving that goal just days after reaching his 100-goal milestone by helping United progress past Nottingham Forest and into the Carabao Cup final. Erik ten Hag's side have a chance to bring back to Old Trafford a first trophy since 2017, should they beat Newcastle United at Wembley on February 26.
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