Bruno Fernandes' vocal pursuit of the Premier League's single-season assists record makes the Manchester United captain look like a "circus act".

That is the view of former United skipper Roy Keane, who believes Fernandes has put a potential individual accolade above the needs of the team in recent weeks.

By teeing up Bryan Mbeumo for United's decisive goal in a 3-2 victory over Nottingham Forest on Sunday, Fernandes reached 20 assists for the season.

Thierry Henry (in 2002-03) and Kevin De Bruyne (in 2019-20) are the only other players to attain that mark, and Fernandes still has one more game – away at Brighton on Sunday – to surpass them.

But for Keane, the way Fernandes has openly discussed his desire to claim the record has left a sour taste.

On the Overlap, Keane said: "When you're the captain of a club and you're supposed to be driving the club forward, do not be getting bogged down by just your role in the team, just assists...

"What I heard at United at the weekend, honestly, I was raging with it. 

"The whole chat about his assists... Everyone, the players were [talking about it], the game was about his assists. That's the whole thing.

"After the game he got interviewed and he – the captain of Manchester United – said, 'A few times, I probably should have shot but I made passes.' Wow. 

"How can your mindset be not to win the match but be about an individual record?"

Opta chance creation data is not available for Henry's 20-assist campaign, but when compared to De Bruyne in 2019-20, Fernandes has averaged fewer chances created (3.99 to 4.37), open-play chances created (2.87 to 3.35) and expected assists (0.37 xA to 0.47) per 90 minutes.

Keane went a step further by lashing out at Fernandes' reaction when his team-mates passed up chances against Forest, saying that attitude proved he was not the right skipper to bring major silverware back to Old Trafford.

"He won't be winning trophies, not with that mindset," Keane continued. "They're giving up two goals and everyone's getting all giddy because he's equalled the record for assists. 

"It's mind-boggling. It's a circus act.

"Bruno gives a pass and they missed. What did Bruno do after he missed it? He went on the floor. Why is he falling? For himself. 

"His striker is having a difficult spell and missed a couple of chances, and he's thinking of himself."