- Bruno Fernandes has come under fire for his performance and on-pitch demeanor in Manchester United’s loss to Manchester City.
- Former United skipper Roy Keane believes Fernandes should have his captaincy duties stripped due to his behavior.
- Micah Richards has now also criticized Fernandes on the Rest is Football podcast following the game.
The Manchester derby had all the makings of a fierce match, but despite Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United starting as the underdog, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City outclassed, outworked, and outbossed them in every way. As was to be expected, Erling Haaland was heavily involved in the goals. He opened the score from 12 yards out after Rasmus Hojlund, his counterpart from Scandinavia, gave up a penalty in the 26th minute. The legendary Norwegian extended their lead by heading past an unmarked Andre Onana with a header after he was left unmarked at the back stick. With ten minutes remaining in regular play, he then turned his attention to helping Phil Foden, who was born in Stockport, extend their lead to three goals as the RedOne player from the red side of Manchester that has come under fire for his performance and on-pitch demeanor as his side was ripped apart was the man with the armband wrapped around his bicep: Bruno Fernandez . His performance in Sunday’s clash earned him criticism from former United skipper, Roy Keane, after the game.
Keane claims Fernandes should have his captaincy duties stripped
Following Manchester City’s 3-0 rout over their arch-rivals, Keane had much to say about the result. He not only questioned guardiola antics at the end of the game but also Fernandes’ suitability to lead a team onto the pitch, especially one the size of Manchester United. Being a former custodian of the club himself, Keane, known for his days captaining his Stretford-based team to glory, will understand the trials and tribulations of embracing the armband of a club so huge in stature.
“After today, having watched them again, I would definitely take the captaincy off him [Fernandes]. 100% – I know it’s a big decision as they obviously changed the captain from [Harry] Maguire, but Fernandes is not captain material. I think he’s a talented player no doubt about it but what I saw today with him again is his whinging, his moaning, his throwing his arms up in the air. It really isn’t acceptable and what we saw today, I would take that off him.
“You have to start somewhere; you have to make changes, and you’re talking about board level, managers. I would start with that because the manager is capable of doing that and hold his hand up and say ‘Listen, I got it wrong’. Fernandes is a brilliant footballer but in terms of captain material, he is the opposite to what I would want in a captain.”
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