Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane has called on current coach Erik ten Hag to reconsider Bruno Fernandes’ appointment as club captain.
Although Fernandes was named the club’s on-field leader for the 2023-24 season, his performance in the role has been mediocre, leading to criticism from both fans and former players.
Despite having led the team to six wins out of 13 matches, Fernandes has struggled to maintain consistency in his role as captain, with many questioning whether he has the qualities needed to lead a team.
Keane, who was known for his leadership skills during his time as captain at Man United, was particularly critical of Fernandes’ constant “whinging” on the pitch, stating that this behavior is the opposite of what a captain should exemplify.
“Today having watched him again I would take the captaincy off him 100 per cent. I know it’s a big decision, obviously they changed the captaincy with Maguire, but Fernandes is not captain material,” Keane said.
“He is a talented player no doubt about it. But what I saw today – we’ve discussed many times before, it was last season at Liverpool – his whinging, his moaning and throwing his arms up in the air constantly. It really isn’t acceptable.”
Fernandes’ poor performance as captain was highlighted during the recent Manchester derby, where he was largely anonymous on the pitch.
Despite creating two chances and registering two shots, Fernandes was dribbled past four times, committed three fouls, and also picked up a booking during the forgettable performance.
With Fernandes one yellow card away from a Premier League suspension, Keane’s call for Ten Hag to reconsider the Portuguese playmaker’s position as club captain could become a reality in the near future.
Since joining Man United in 2020, Fernandes has been an integral part of the team, scoring 66 goals and setting up 57 more in 198 appearances.
However, his effectiveness as a leader on the pitch has come under scrutiny, with Keane suggesting that the club needs to look elsewhere for its next captain.
Man United’s defeat against Manchester City leaves them eighth in the Premier League table, and they will be seeking to bounce back in Wednesday’s EFL Cup fourth-round clash with Newcastle United.
