Bruno Fernandes responds to Roy Keane’s criticism
Bruno Fernandes has launched a stunning attack on Roy Keane after accusing the former Manchester United captain of spreading “lies” about him, reports BritPanorama.
The United skipper hit back furiously after Keane branded the club a “circus act” and questioned Fernandes’ mentality during the pursuit of the Premier League assists record. Keane had lashed out following United’s win over Nottingham Forest, accusing the midfielder of focusing more on personal milestones than team success.
In an explosive appearance on the Diary of a CEO podcast, Fernandes expressed his frustration, stating, “What I don’t like is when people lie about things. And in this case, what Roy Keane said basically is a lie.” The Portuguese playmaker reacted to Keane’s comments on The Overlap, referring to an instance where Fernandes appeared to discuss passing rather than shooting during a game. Keane interpreted the remarks as reflective of Fernandes prioritising individual records over team victories.
Moreover, Keane remarked, “How can your mindset be not to win the match but [to be] about an individual record?” However, Fernandes clarified that he actually stated there were moments he “should have passed instead of shot,” contradicting Keane’s interpretation. He maintained that while he respects Keane’s legacy at Old Trafford, the criticism was based on fabricated comments.
The 31-year-old revealed his anger over the situation was profound enough that he considered directly confronting Keane, even asking former United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for Keane’s phone number. “I don’t mind criticism. I don’t like when people lie about things that I say,” Fernandes explained.
Despite the ongoing tension, Fernandes continues to shine on the pitch, recently achieving his 21st assist of the season during a 3-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion, thereby breaking the Premier League single-season assist record. He insisted that his approach to the game remains unchanged, focused on creating opportunities for teammates rather than chasing statistics.
Finally, Fernandes expressed a desire for mutual respect, stating, “I prefer Roy Keane to give me some praise sometimes because I’ve achieved something that not many players have achieved.” This incident underscores not only the rivalry within the club but also the broader dialogue on player accountability and media narratives in sports.
