Bruno Fernandes urged to leave Man Utd after Roy Keane criticism – ‘Deserves better’

Bruno Fernandes urged to leave Man Utd after Roy Keane criticism – ‘Deserves better’

Bruno Fernandes was recently slammed by former Manchester United skipper Roy Kean

Bruno Fernandes, the captain of Manchester United, has been told to look for bigger opportunities because he may play for a “better team.”

The 30-year-old midfielder has had a remarkable career, winning domestic cups with Manchester United and Sporting CP and even playing for Portugal in their 2019 UEFA Nations League final victory, but he has yet to win a league championship.

When United fell behind in second place during the 2020–21 season, he came closest to receiving this honor.

However, given that the Red Devils are now having trouble in the lower half of the Premier League standings, Fernandes has come under fire for his performance this season.

Former star Roy Keane didn’t mince words when he labelled Fernandes and his colleagues “imposters”. However, ex-Chelsea star Joe Cole has jumped to the defence of Fernandes, advising him to head elsewhere to showcase his talents.

Speaking to Paddy Power, Cole said: “I think there could be a natural separation for Bruno Fernandes and Manchester United. He’s a brilliant footballer.

“He’s not a perfect footballer like Steven Gerrard, Paul Scholes or Kevin De Bruyne but he’s a brilliant footballer who has been absolutely fantastic for Manchester United during the most difficult period the club has had in 40-odd years.

“He can more than hold his head up with what he’s achieved in Manchester, but I think he deserves to play in a better team. It’ll be a nice separation point for the club, and it will benefit both.

“United need players who will do things that don’t suit Bruno. They need to build a strong base around the club, and they might have to cash in on him and bring players in who have different attributes.”

As the debate continues about Fernandes’ future at Old Trafford, the playmaker will be keen to prove Keane wrong in the latter stages of the campaign with strong signs of leadership and captaincy material.

Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Keane got into a heated exchange with Ian Wright about Fernandes, where he exclaimed: “Talent is not enough! You keep going back to talent – Bruno’s a talented player, but it’s not enough.

“Who were you in the dressing room with? Tony Adams. [You say] ‘Tony Adams was this, Tony Adams was that’, because he was a fighter. You’ve got young players who have to look at somebody and go ‘I like what he does’. They all can’t put the ball in the top of the net from 25 yards, I get that, but you want someone who’s going ‘Lads, are you with me? Are you with me?'”

United boss Ruben Amorim has come to the defence of Fernandes following Keane’s scathing remarks. Amorim said: “I heard about that – I have a different opinion,” before United’s FA Cup clash with Fulham.

“Bruno is really important for us in the club, especially for me. He’s playing well in a difficult context and he always wants the responsibility.

“I know as a captain he does things sometimes with his arms, criticising his team-mates, but most of all it’s a bit of frustration.

“He wants to win and sometimes it’s difficult to deal with that frustration. Roy Keane has big standards from his time. But I think my opinion is more important than Roy Keane’s because I am the coach.”