Following Manchester United’s recent 0-3 defeat to Manchester City, former midfielder Roy Keane has raised eyebrows by suggesting the first step the club should take is to remove Bruno Fernandes from the captain’s role.
In a post-match analysis on Sky Sports, Keane voiced his concerns, stating, “He’s not at all what I consider a captain.” He further added, “Fernandes is always complaining and displays an attitude that is simply unacceptable. He’s talented, but he’s not the right fit for the captain’s armband. The first thing Manchester United needs to do is strip Fernandes of his captaincy. It’s a challenging task, but Coach Erik ten Hag will have to do it.”
Bruno Fernandes’ Captaincy: A Matter of Contention:
Bruno Fernandes was appointed captain of Manchester United for the 2023-2024 season after Harry Maguire was removed from the role. However, his performance with the “Red Devils” this season has not been impressive, with only two goals and three assists in 13 matches across all competitions. In the match against Manchester City, he was seen expressing frustration towards his teammates, which did not sit well with Keane.
Keane’s Legacy and Manchester United’s Current Struggles:
Keane, who captained Manchester United from 1997 to 2005, played a pivotal role in the club’s success during that period, winning numerous titles. He believes that removing Fernandes from the captaincy is only a part of the solution to address the current issues at the club. “The problem with Ten Hag is that he hasn’t yet settled on his preferred lineup,” the 52-year-old former midfielder added. “Manchester United is dealing with several injuries, and Ten Hag is grappling with personnel issues, such as the goalkeeper, the positions of Harry Maguire, or Jonny Evans today.”
Manchester United’s Struggles and Offensive Woes:
Manchester United currently stands in eighth place in the Premier League with a goal difference of -5. Their main issue lies in their attack, having scored only 11 goals, with central forward Rasmus Hojlund yet to find the back of the net in the Premier League. Keane criticized the team’s attacking power and pointed out that Manchester United is physically dominated in all positions. “Ten Hag won’t be getting a good night’s sleep tonight,” he emphasized.
Hojlund missed a golden opportunity to score in the 31st minute when he stumbled past the goalkeeper in a one-on-one situation. Keane suggested that Hojlund should have gone down in this situation to give his team a chance at a penalty. “I’m not saying he should have dived, but any player would have gone down in that situation,” the Irish legend stated.
Roy Keane’s call to remove Bruno Fernandes from the captaincy has added another layer of intrigue to Manchester United’s ongoing struggles. As the club strives to find solutions to its performance issues, Keane’s suggestion has sparked discussions among football enthusiasts and raised questions about the leadership and dynamics within the team. Manchester United faces numerous challenges, and the road to recovery may be more complex than initially thought.
