Bruno Fernandes fronted up after Manchester United lost 4-1 to Newcastle, but former Red Devils captain Roy Keane was not happy with some of the comments he made
Roy Keane has laid into Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, questioning his leadership and accusing him of speaking in “soundbites”. Fernandes fronted up after United were thrashed by Newcastle on Sunday, with Sandro Tonali, Harvey Barnes and Bruno Guimaraes all scoring in a 4-1 win for the Toon.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Fernandes admitted he gets frustrated with his team-mates because he “knows how good they can be” and urged the club to turn their attention to the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final clash with Lyon on Thursday.
“My team-mates – I only get frustrated with them because I know how good they can be,” Fernandes claimed. “I know how tough it is to represent this club. They want so much to give to the club, to win because they know how much they will be remembered if they win something with this club.
“On Thursday we go forward, we create a big atmosphere in our stadium, we need to be on the front foot and give everything we have because we want to get to the semi-final.
“In tough moments we have done great performances against the biggest clubs. In decisive games when everyone is watching. We are Man United, we have to step up and do everything to win the game.”
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However, Keane took issue with Fernandes’ comments and claimed there is “no meaning” to his words. “To be fair to Bruno Fernandes he fronts up but to me it’s just soundbites now,” Keane told Sky Sports in response to the interview.
“He was talking about his team-mates and belief but what about his right-back Dalot who didn’t put a leg out to tackle? I hope he is pulling him in the dressing room because he keeps talking about having belief in his teammates but real good teammates put demands on each other.
“When I listen to Bruno, I have question marks about his leadership. He certainly isn’t getting any help around him, it must be tough playing in that midfield when the expectation is on him because that’s unfair on him.
“But when he’s doing his chats about supporters and this, to me it’s just soundbites. There is no meaning to it. I’m not sure this United group are an honest group. The best players put demands on me. That’s what real good team-mates do. These aren’t team-mates, they are bluffers.”
Keane’s comments came after he accused United of being a “physically and mentally weak” team. “That’s 14 league games they’ve lost now,” Keane fumed. “We keep making excuses for this team. There are not enough players who can run in the team.
“I don’t think there are players who want to run. Not enough of a goal threat. You’ve got to dig deep, even when you’re up against it and they didn’t do that in the second half. We spoke at half-time [about] the big test was to come in the second half.
“Looking at Newcastle, they’re outstanding, they’re used to winning big games now, they’ve got into a really good habit. United are the opposite. I think United now are physically and mentally a weak team.”
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