Manchester United legend Roy Keane questioned the leadership of captain Bruno Fernandes, telling him to ask more from his teammates. The former United captain said that Fernandes should stop defending his teammates and demand more from them amid poor performances.
United lost 4-1 to Newcastle United in the Premier League clash on Sunday, continuing their miserable season under Ruben Amorim. The Red Devils sacked Erik ten Hag in the middle of the season and appointed Amorim as the new manager.
However, the senior squad that Amorim inherited has failed to adjust to his tactical style of play, continuing their struggles. Many fans and pundits echoed the sentiments of Keane, who has questioned the desire and commitment of the United players.
Speaking on Sky Sports Super Sunday (via YouTube), Keane questioned the leadership of United captain Fernandes, telling him to demand the best from his teammates. He said:
“To be fair to Bruno Fernandes he fronts up and obviously the club push him out because he’s the best player and the captain, of course it’s important what he says, but to me it’s just soundbites now. He was talking about his team-mates and belief but what about his right-back [Diogo] 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.”
The Red Devils are currently 14th in the Premier League table, a position well below their stature as a club. Furthermore, United now rely on their Europa League campaign to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
While fans hope for United to salvage something from this season, they also keep one eye on the summer. Nevertheless, United’s frivolous spending in the past has shackled them, forcing the club to sell players to raise the budget.
Selling the players who are massively underperforming and are at very high wages is a daunting task for the management. Rest assured, if the Man United play like this in the Europa League, they could get into a lot of trouble.
More Manchester United News
- Keane: Manchester United players are physically and mentally weak
- Manchester United eyeing summer deal for 22-year-old ‘incredible’ Championship star
- Manchester United emerge as frontrunners to sign Sporting Lisbon star as Amorim eyes reunion
The Red Devils will face Lyon in the second leg of the Europa League Quarter-final clash on Thursday. The tie currently stands at 2-2, but United will play the second leg at Old Trafford, which gives them a big advantage.