Roy Keane has torn into the current crop of Manchester United players for Bruno Fernandes' apparent lack of leadership qualities following their humbling 4-1 defeat to Newcastle.
Manchester United’s 4-1 loss to Newcastle United triggered a ferocious response from club legend Roy Keane, who didn’t hold back in questioning the integrity of the current squad and the leadership credentials of Bruno Fernandes.
The Sunday evening clash at St James’ Park saw Sandro Tonali fire the hosts into an early lead. United briefly showed signs of life through Alejandro Garnacho's equaliser before capitulating in the second half.
Harvey Barnes struck twice, and Bruno Guimarães capitalised on an error-strewn United backline to seal a convincing win for Newcastle.It marked United’s 14th league defeat of the campaign, leaving them languishing in 14th place and clinging to hope in the Europa League as their season's only potential salvation.
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'Bruno is full of soundbytes'
Speaking on Sky Sports, a visibly frustrated Keane laid into the underperforming squad, singling out Fernandes—not just as a player, but as a captain who he believes is being let down by both his teammates and himself.
“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,” Keane began.
The former midfield enforcer suggested Fernandes’ post-match comments had lost all substance and were becoming repetitive distractions rather than reflections of genuine leadership.“
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He was talking about his teammates 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.”
Keane, never one to mince his words, questioned whether Fernandes had any real influence over the dressing room and slammed the collective commitment of the squad.
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'They are not teammates - they are bluffers'
“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 former skipper went further, accusing the players of lacking the accountability and internal standards that once defined United’s dominant era. The best players put demands on me. That’s what real good teammates do.
These aren’t teammates, they are bluffers.”
The scathing verdict reflects just how far the standards have fallen at Old Trafford in the eyes of club greats like Keane. With unrest mounting among fans and legends alike, Erik ten Hag’s side face growing pressure to find answers—or face a full-blown crisis.