What would Bruno change about assists?

Some fans will have noticed the discrepancies in the numbers posted in this field, with Fantasy Premier League, among others, having different rules for classification.

Opta are long-standing statisticians with huge respect within the game so we were pleased to invite them to Carrington to help go over the subject with the Manchester United skipper.

As expected, Bruno was fully immersed in the discussion and was able to offer his own insight into the data.

He provided in-depth analysis of his figures, in general, which are supporting his strong case for the Footballer of the Year award.

When we asked if he feels he should have more assists to his name, he replied: "I don't know. We spoke about this. George [McCaffery, our head of football communications] came to talk to me and said you haven't made 100 assists, so I said why is it going all around [social media] I did 100 assists?

"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. 

"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 agrees that assists should not be registered for own goals, such as when his corner went in off via James Hill during the recent 2-2 draw with Bournemouth, and is also sceptical about whether pre-assists will ever gain wider attention.

Basically, the pass before the assist has started to be analysed a little more, referencing the input earlier in decisive moves for goals, it is another field where he naturally excels in.

However, our no.8 said: "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!"

The skipper's famed durability is another area where he excels and, with only four games left this term before he embarks on a World Cup finals adventure with Portugal, his desire to always be involved on the pitch has never burned brighter.

"I just want to play as much as I can until the end of my career," he stated. "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."