30 October 2023 , 11:25
1190
0
Roy Keane has questioned Erik ten Hag's decision to give Bruno Fernandes the armband at Manchester United - insisting he is "not captain material".
Fernandes, 29, produced a disappointing display in United's 3-0 defeat to local rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford on Sunday. Erling Haaland scored a brace for Pep Guardiola's Premier League champions before setting up Phil Foden for the third goal.
Ten Hag took the captaincy off Harry Maguire and gave it to Fernandes during the summer. The Portuguese midfielder spent much of last season captaining United in the English defender's absence, as Maguire struggled to find form and get into the starting XI.
That was a risky move by Ten Hag due to Fernandes' antics in the 7-0 defeat at Liverpool in March. His behaviour during United's capitulation was labelled a "disgrace" by Gary Neville on commentary, as he failed to stop Liverpool's onslaught.
It was a case of deja vu on Sunday, albeit not as emphatic. Keane wasn't shy to hit out at Fernandes after the game. He told Sky Sports: "The one thing I would do, after today having watched him again, I would definitely take the captaincy off him, 100 percent.
Marcel Sabitzer completes Man Utd transfer after last-minute deadline day dash
"I know it was a big decision to change the captaincy with Maguire, but Fernandes is not captain material. I think he's a talented player, but what I saw today, we've discussed this before. I was at Liverpool last year.
"His whinging, his moaning, constantly throwing his arms up in the air. It really isn't acceptable. It has to start somewhere and where do you make changes - manager? board level? It starts with that (the captaincy) because the manager is capable of doing that.
Bruno Fernandes struggled against Manchester City (Getty Images)Do you agree with Roy Keane? Let us know in the comments below!
"Hold his hands up and say he got it wrong. Fernandes is a great player, but he's the opposite of what I would want in a captain."
As Keane mentioned, he was at Anfield to watch United's 7-0 loss to Liverpool thanks to his punditry work for Sky. That wasn't the only heavy defeat United suffered under Ten Hag last season, as Brentford won 4-0 and City won 6-3. Ex-captain Keane said after the Liverpool game: "Fernandes' body language today was disgraceful."
Neville was also part of Sky's team for the 7-0 humbling. He said on commentary: "The second half has been an absolute disgrace - a shambles - epitomised no more by the captain, Bruno Fernandes, who I think has been embarrassing at times in this game."
Fernandes will need to put in a good performance against Newcastle on Wednesday to silence his critics. The Red Devils take on Eddie Howe's side at Old Trafford in the last 16 of the Carabao Cup - a repeat of last year's final. Ten Hag's team won that game 2-0.