"I respect Roy Keane but.."—Bruno Fernandes Responds to Roy Keane’s Harsh Criticism of His Leadership

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has finally responded to Roy Keane’s strong criticism of his leadership. Keane, a club legend and former United captain, did not hold back in his comments last month, accusing Fernandes of needing to prove that he is more than just a talented player.

The criticism came during an intense debate on the Stick to Football podcast, where Keane slammed United’s squad, calling them “imposters” and questioning whether Fernandes had what it takes to be a true leader. However, since Keane’s rant, Fernandes has hit top form, delivering outstanding performances for United.

Since the criticism, Fernandes has been proving his worth on the pitch. He scored a stunning hat-trick in Manchester United’s Europa League win over Real Sociedad last week and followed it up with a goal and two assists in a convincing 3-0 win over Leicester City.

After the victory at the King Power Stadium, Fernandes was asked about Keane’s remarks and whether they affected him. He admitted that while the comments were tough to hear, they also served as motivation.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Fernandes said:

“I think it was both – it wasn’t nice to hear, but at the same time, it motivated me. It made me realize there are things I can improve. I respect Roy Keane a lot. He was one of the best captains this club has ever had. He won everything with Manchester United, so I understand his opinion. But I try to lead in my own way, not just as a captain but also as a good teammate.”

Fernandes emphasized that not everyone will agree with his leadership style, but he remains focused on setting an example in training and matches. He also admitted that he is always looking for ways to improve.

Keane had previously insisted that talent alone is not enough to be a great leader, urging Fernandes to step up and be more of a fighter on the pitch.

“You keep talking about talent, but that’s not enough! Young players need to look at their captain and say, ‘I want to follow him!’ They need someone who will stand up and lead,” Keane had said.

While Keane was critical, former Arsenal striker Ian Wright defended Fernandes, arguing that United would struggle even more without him. Wright even suggested that without Fernandes’ influence, United could be in a relegation battle.

Despite the criticism, Fernandes has continued to deliver for Manchester United. He now has 16 goals and 15 assists in all competitions this season, proving his importance to the team.

United’s win over Leicester saw them climb to 13th place in the Premier League table, moving above Tottenham and Everton. While their season has been far from ideal, Fernandes’ recent performances show that he is determined to silence his critics, including Keane.