Bruno Fernandes Laughs Off Claims He 'Only Scores Penalties'

Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes says penalties are just as important as any other goal, amid criticism that most of his strikes come from the spot.

Bruno has developed a reputation as something of a penalty specialist, netting all eight of his attempts from 12 yards for Manchester United since signing last January. 14 of his 27 goals for United and Sporting last season were penalties, earning him the creative and scathing nickname 'Bruno Penandes' among opposition fans.

The 26-year-old, however, does not see that as a valid point of criticism.

“Yeah but we can’t talk a lot about penalties because everybody will say: ‘Bruno only scores with penalties’,” Bruno told United Review. “If the others score them, it’s no problem. They just score a penalty, you know.

"Penalties are part of the game. You need to score. You have the chance but you need to score.

“I know everyone is talking about them like it’s easy but you can lose a final with a penalty. Manchester wins the Champions League in Moscow with penalties [in 2008]. For most people, it’s easy when you’re in front of the TV.

"It is easy – just look at the goalkeeper jump to his left so why don’t you shoot to the right? Yeah, I can shoot to the right but, on my mind, was the left and the goalkeeper saved it. It can happen. But the most important thing, for me, is to keep scoring."

He continued, adding that while he may be the club's first choice for spot kicks, he will not stand in the way if any of his teammates want to shoulder the responsibility.

“I feel confident with penalties and I want to take them but, if someone comes to me to ask to take a penalty I will not fight every time, just to take a penalty. In that moment, I can be tired or not prepared to take a penalty and I can say easily: ‘You take it’.

“I trust in my teammates – Rashy, Anthony [Martial] and also Paul [Pogba], they have a lot of qualities and can take it. We have really good penalty takers. The most important thing is scoring for Manchester United. It doesn’t matter if it is Bruno or someone else.”