BREAKING NEWS: “It’s shocking how selfish he is, and he simply doesn’t care. His selfishness is what cost Erik ten Hag his job at Manchester United. If he keeps this up, it will harm the new manager as well,” said Roy Keane, criticizing a “selfish” Manchester United player for “letting down” Ten Hag. Keane’s comments suggest that the player’s lack of dedication is playing a significant role in United’s ongoing struggles, affecting both their performance and team morale.

Roy Keane, a legendary Manchester United figure, recently criticized Bruno Fernandes, the club’s current captain, linking him to Erik ten Hag’s recent exit. Keane’s remarks follow the announcement of Ten Hag’s departure, which has divided United supporters and cast uncertainty over the club’s direction.

United appointed Ruben Amorim, Sporting Lisbon’s manager, as Ten Hag’s long-term replacement, with former United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy serving as interim manager until Amorim takes over on November 11.

Under Van Nistelrooy’s temporary leadership, United has shown mixed results. His debut match saw United overpower Leicester City with a 5-2 win in the Carabao Cup, briefly lifting fan morale.

However, a 1-1 Premier League draw against Chelsea soon followed, underscoring the inconsistency that has plagued their season. Many believe this inconsistency highlights the need for solid leadership on the field, a quality Keane feels Fernandes has not provided.

Reflecting on the season, Fernandes recently admitted his performance was lacking and that he fell short in supporting Ten Hag’s vision. In an open apology to fans and the club, he acknowledged his failure to meet expectations for goals and assists. His apology aimed to show accountability, acknowledging he had not stepped up as Ten Hag might have hoped.

However, Keane quickly dismissed Fernandes’s apology, calling it “too little, too late.” He argued that an apology would have had greater impact if Fernandes had shown genuine leadership during Ten Hag’s time.

To Keane, Fernandes’s words lacked depth, appearing insincere given his failure to rally the team or visibly support Ten Hag when needed. Keane noted Fernandes’s frequent displays of poor body language, suggesting a lack of genuine concern for Ten Hag’s struggles, casting doubt on Fernandes’s dedication and sincerity as a captain.

For Keane, the role of Manchester United’s captain requires more than skill; it demands resilience, loyalty, and a commitment to lead through difficult times.

He believes Fernandes has fallen short of these qualities, suggesting his focus on personal reputation over team support may have compounded Ten Hag’s challenges. Keane’s view is that a United captain should show unwavering support for the manager, a responsibility he feels Fernandes has neglected.

As Van Nistelrooy continues in the interim role, Keane’s criticism may lead to broader discussions within the club about the captaincy and the leadership qualities needed to guide United forward.