In a striking turnaround, former Manchester United star and current ITV pundit Roy Keane has acknowledged that he was wrong about his previous criticisms of Bruno Fernandes.
Keane, who had been vocal about his doubts regarding Fernandes’ suitability as Manchester United captain, was full of praise for the Portuguese midfielder following United’s FA Cup victory over their fierce rivals Manchester City.
The former Red Devils captain had previously been one of Fernandes’ harshest critics, openly questioning the midfielder’s leadership qualities and suggesting that Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag should consider stripping him of the captain’s armband. Keane had described Fernandes as “the opposite of what you want as a captain,” highlighting what he perceived as a lack of the necessary attributes to lead the team effectively.
Bruno Fernandes had a true captains performance for Manchester United against Man City in the FA Cup Final
However, Saturday’s FA Cup final proved to be a turning point. Fernandes led Manchester United to a 2-1 victory over their fierce rivals, Manchester City, with a performance that showcased his exceptional leadership and skill. Notably, Fernandes provided a sensational assist to Kobbie Mainoo for United’s second goal, a moment that epitomised his influence on the pitch.
The Portuguese international was instrumental in what could possibly be Erik ten Hag’s final match as the manager – the 29-year-old made seven defensive actions and won a staggering nine of 13 total duels in the game. While, on the ball he registered five key passes to go with his assist.
Roy Keane on Bruno Fernandes’ performance in the FA Cup final
Keane, speaking to ITV Sport after the match, admitted his pleasure at being proven wrong about Fernandes. “I’ve been critical of Bruno over the years but I’m happy to be proved wrong,” Keane said. “His leadership today was outstanding. We’ve always mentioned how brilliant he’s been as a player but, you know, I’m just pleased for the fans.”
This season has been a challenging one for Fernandes and United, with ups and downs testing the squad’s resilience and cohesion. Despite the difficulties, Fernandes has emerged as a crucial figure for the team, both in terms of his playing abilities and his leadership on and off the pitch. His performance in the FA Cup final, leading by example and delivering in crucial moments, has seemingly silenced his biggest critics.
