Roy Keane EXPLODES at Ian Wright in his angriest-ever punditry moment in row over Bruno Fernandes and Man United’s team of ‘f***ing imposters’
Roy Keane and Ian Wright had an explosive debate about Bruno Fernandes’ captaincy in the wake of Manchester United’s 3-2 win over Ipswich.
Fernandes’s captaincy has drawn plenty of criticism in recent seasons, with fingers pointed to his perceived petulance and histrionics on the field as reasons why he is perhaps not the best leader.
However the Portuguese attacking midfielder is undoubtedly the most talented player at the club, and as such presents an example and a standard for the rest of his side to try to live up to.
But with United struggling down in 14th place in the table, things are hardly going swimmingly at Old Trafford.
As such, the latest episode of the Stick To Football Podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet, saw a fierce discussion over his abilities to lead the side and whether blame lies at his feet.
Keane launched into a tirade on the ‘f***ing bizarre’ celebrations after coming from behind to level at Everton, suggesting they were similar to having ‘won the Cup’ before turning his attentions to Fernandes.
Roy Keane (left) and Ian Wright (right) engaged in an explosive debate about Bruno Fernandes
The Manchester United skipper’s leadership has been questioned a number of times
Keane blasted the current squad as ‘f***ing imposters’ in a heated tirade on Stick To Football
‘I see fans at matches and they’re singing for Bruno. I see these boys, I think you’re f***ing imposters!’
And when Wright disagrees about Bruno, he adds: ‘Ah Wrighty, I’ve had enough of that rubbish! You watch United every week, we focus more on United. Sit and watch a game with him! People pretend to be closing people down.’
Arsenal legend Wright then argues that Fernandes has led by example by bringing his team back into games when they need a moment of inspiration, which Keane again rebuts.
‘Talent is not enough! You keep going back to talent – Bruno’s a talented player, but it’s not enough!
‘Who were you in the dressing room with, Tony Adams! Tony Adams was this, Tony Adams was that, because he was a fighter!
‘You’ve got young players who have to look at somebody and go “I like what he does”. They all can’t put the ball in the top of the net from 25 yards, I get that, but you want someone who’s going “Lads, are you with me? Are you with me?”‘
So far this season, that numbers show that United have been more reliant on Fernandes than any other player.
His six goals and seven assists (13 contributions) count for 39.4 per cent of his side’s goals (33) this term.
Fernandes has been United’s best performer once again contributing almost two-fifths of their goals in the Premier League
As such, Wright was not to be perturbed and continues to sign Fernandes’ virtues to United.
‘Maybe he’s not that kind of captain, Roy, I’m with you, but what he’s doing in respects of… saving you, playing that pass, the goal.
‘If Bruno’s not there, United are in the relegation battle.’
The debate continued to rage about United’s standing with or without Fernandes, before turning to where the finger could be pointed at in the current United side.
‘Forget the board and all that for a second. The players who walk on the pitch, who do you start pointing fingers at? At some point players have to look at themselves look at the person in the mirror. So who would you start at with Man United?
‘The goalkeeper? [Harry] Maguire? Would you have a go at Maguire? Or are you too pally with people?’
Wright again underlines that not all the blame can be attributed to Bruno just because he’s the captain, before Keane again draws comparisons with Gunners icon Adams.
‘You sit there every few weeks and you say Tony Adams is amazing,’ he says, before Wright interjects to say he was the captain he was used to, prompting Keane’s must furious response yet.
However his histrionics and perceived petulance on the field have seen fingers pointed his way
Keane got extremely heated and demanded more leadership from the current United skipper
He also gave a demonstration on how not to press players, and blasted what he calls ‘bluffers’
‘Of course, that’s what the captain we expect [sic]! Tony Adams used to – was Tony Adams the most talented player in the Arsenal dressing room? So why do you look up to Tony Adams and go “listen I have a lot of time for him?”‘
Wright replies: ‘Because he was an amazing leader, and he lead us, he lead us to the Championship and everything.’
Jill Scott then offers her thoughts, saying: ‘I just think if I had a captain I wouldn’t want him, like, blaming [team-mates], that’s what I think.’
But Keane finishes the debate by asking Wright to identify where he would attribute the blame for United’s current malaise, before giving a demonstration on how not to press players in a game – something he believes he is seeing all too much of.
Who then? I’ve asked you a question, who would you start going “he’s got to do a bit more”? When they go out on that pitch, show some courage, want the ball. When you close somebody down, close them down properly!
‘Let me tell you something, when you close somebody down, this is what I call a bluffer, I’m closing you down, but I’m not really closing you down-‘ Keane mimes half-heartedly pretending to close down Wright – ‘and you pass it, “I’ve done my bit!”
‘F*** off! Excuse my language.’
