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News
Keane called Bruno Fernandes a 'f***** imposter' - is he right?
5 min read
Analysis
Bruno Fernandes is under the highest amount of scrutiny at Manchester United since he signed for the club in 2020.
Seen as a talismanic figure at Old Trafford by some, he is viewed by others as an individualistic player who does not necessarily implement the tactical needs and wants of whichever manager happens to be in the dugout.
Whether you rate him or not, his numbers are impressive for the Red Devils. In total, Fernandes has accumulated 111 goals and 106 assists in 338 appearances for the club, but there does appear to be a significant dip in performance levels in 2026/27, with just five goal contributions in 11 appearances so far.
Those numbers from this season don't appear terrible at first glance, but when you consider four of his goals came across two games, the picture becomes clearer. In his 11 appearances this season, he has recorded a goal or an assist in just two and they came in games versus Ipswich Town in the Premier League and Sabah in the Champions League - two fixtures in which United were heavy favourites.
He has gone six Premier League games and two Champions League games without a goal contribution. According to the algorithm of data analytics experts SciSports, he is currently only United's fourth-best player behind Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and even Marcus Rashford.
Fucking Imposters Keane Said https://t.co/ANQXtF8t44
— INEOSOUT (@Punter_Utd7) October 22, 2026
While Fernandes' previous output papered over the cracks for some, Man Utd legend Roy Keane has never really been a fan and he has been scathing in his criticism of the attacking midfielder in the past.
Following a 2-2 draw versus Everton in February 2025, Keane said on The Overlap: "When we go back to the team, the recruitment, the players. Show a bit of fight, a bit of quality, a bit of speed in your play.
"They draw at Everton, it’s like they’ve won the cup. It’s f****** bizarre.
"And even the fans, I see fans at matches and they’re singing for Bruno. I see these boys and think, ‘you’re f****** imposters!’"
When co-host Ian Wright said Fernandes was not an imposter, Keane replied: "Wrighty, I have had enough of that rubbish.
"Watch the game with him, watch him against Leicester in the FA Cup, watch them against Everton, people pretending to close people down."
Wright challenged: "Who is bringing you guys back into the game? It's not Bruno [who is the problem], Roy; when we are talking about someone who can save you, it's Bruno. If he wasn't there, where would you be?"
Keane hit back with: "Save us? We are 15th in the league. He's saving them? Praise the Lord.
"Talent is not enough. Bruno is a talented player but it is not enough. You talk to me about Tony Adams; he was a fighter. Bruno is not a fighter.
"You can't all put the ball in the top corner, but you need someone who is saying to the lads, 'Are you with me?"
Now, things appear to be reaching a boiling point for the Portuguese midfielder at Man Utd following the team's 4-1 humbling against Cesc Fabregas' Como side in the Champions League this week.
Following the game, in which Fernandes was taken off by Michael Carrick, the player suggested that the team should have pressed Como man-to-man. After the game, Carrick was asked about Bruno's comments and replied: "If you don't run back, you ain't going to win".
That came just a week after defender Lisandro Martinez had publicly called out the Man Utd hierarchy for the club's underwhelming transfer window in the summer, so there is undoubtedly something rotten at Old Trafford throughout the infrastructure.
In addition, Jamie Carragher did not hold back in his assessment of Fernandes following the Como game, not just about his performance but about his comments.
"We said Lisandro Martinez was bang out of order for calling out the hierarchy," Carragher said on CBS Sports.
"For Bruno Fernandes to do that, it is a disgrace. Last season, he was Player of the Year. That was due to Michael Carrick coming in as manager. He wouldn't have got that award without Carrick. He put him back in his right position.
"His attitude and the way he goes about things, it is not right at all. He has reacted like that because he was brought off and he has been embarrassed tonight by the manager. When he talks about pressing, whether it is man-to-man or zonal, for years, Bruno Fernandes has meant Man Utd can't press.
🚨🚨 Jamie CARRAGHER 🏴 DÉTRUIT Bruno FERNANDES 🇵🇹 après ses critiques contre la tactique de Michael CARRICK 🏴 😱👇 :
« C’est une véritable HONTE. C’est un joueur talentueux, mais son attitude est HORRIBLE.
Depuis des années, Bruno Fernandes EMPÊCHE Manchester United de presser correctement.
Il court partout comme un GAMIN DANS UNE COUR DE RÉCRÉATION pour faire plaisir aux supporters. Ils pensent qu’il travaille dur, mais il pénalise toute son équipe.
Le voir lever constamment les bras vers ses coéquipiers est une HONTE ABSOLUE.
Ce n’est PAS l’attitude que doit avoir un capitaine de Manchester United. »
🎥 @CBSSportsGolazo https://t.co/FdRcK5tacA
— Actu Foot (@ActuFoot_) October 22, 2026
"He runs all over the place like a kid in the school yard for the supporters. They all think he's working hard, he is not. He is killing the rest of the team by doing it. He is not playing in a successful era at Manchester United but years ago there was a captain called Brian Robson, one of the greatest players to ever play for Man Utd.
"He didn't play for teams that won leagues or European cups every year. He is still seen as one of the greatest players to play for the club. He never threw a manager or the players under the bus. He kept fighting for Man Utd.
"Watching him [Bruno] play every week, throwing his arms up at players constantly, it is a disgrace that he has called out the manager considering how he has performed this season on the pitch. Awful attitude and not what a Manchester United captain should be.
"How many managers has he had? Every single manager at Man Utd has not had an identity?
"[Como boss] Cesc Fabregas, I think he is the best young thing in managerial terms, but Man Utd is rotten from top to bottom. Everything about the club.
"This can't go on for a club of this stature. I am glad Michael Carrick came out and said that about Bruno Fernandes. That they don't run, because they don't run. I am delighted he brought him off and delighted he had a pop back at him."
Unfortunately for Fernandes, there is a debate to be had about his contributions for Man Utd at the truly elite level. At the age of 32, he has scored just two goals against clubs from a top-five league in the Champions League - and both of those were penalties against Paris Saint-Germain and RB Leipzig.
He has not scored an open-play goal in the Champions League against a club from England, Spain, Italy, Germany or France in his entire career.
In the background to all this is Bruno's contract situation. His current deal runs out next summer, and there are no current signs of a renewal in place, although there is an option to extend for another year.
Over the last few summer windows, he has been strongly linked with a switch to the Saudi Pro League which would have earned Man Utd a significant transfer fee. In the end, the club kept him at his own request.
Now, his options appear to be shrinking as TeamTalk reports that one of his other major suitors, Galatasaray, have stepped away from a potential deal.
Ineos have implemented a new structure in place to limit contract length on players over the age of 30 and, with Fernandes on an extremely hefty wage, it will be interesting to see if they offer him a new deal on his current or improved terms - especially if he continues to underperform.
