Roy Keane admits Bruno Fernandes changed the way he feels about Man Utd
Roy Keane is not known for his upbeat, chirpy outlook but did concede back in 2020 that Bruno Fernandes' arrival made him more optimistic about the future of Manchester United.
The January transfer window of 2020 brought two players to Old Trafford, Fernandes and ex-Watford ace Odion Ighalo on loan. At the time, then-manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had some credit in the bank, given he was already a popular figure among the United faithful and was by no means struggling in the job at this stage.
Keane's comments came in March of that year, at a time when the Red Devils were unbeaten in 10 games having won seven of them. Morale was high and hope was higher, even coming from someone as famously moody as the United legend.
"I think the signs have been a lot better over the last month or so, obviously Fernandes coming in, I think they're building a little bit of momentum," Keane said on Sky Sports. "We saw at the end of last season they faded away, they're now I think in a very good position to try and get into that top four and win a couple of cups. So I think the feel-good factor is definitely coming back to United."
Now, that assessment wasn't entirely bang on. Just over a year later, Solskjaer was out of a job after a miserable run of form and was swiftly replaced by Ralf Rangnick, but that too failed to inspire a significant upturn in fortunes.
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Keane has had a turbulent relationship with Fernandes over the years, often questioning his conduct on the pitch. Nowadays, the 28-year-old is United's captain and has seen his leadership credentials also blasted by a number of Red Devils legends.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Where does Fernandes rank among the Premier League's best midfielders? Comment below
Bruno Fernandes often divides opinion among fans and pundits alike (Getty Images)Just last week, current boss Erik ten Hag caught criticism off of Keane for praise that the manager had dished out to Fernandes. The United manager had explained how pleased he was to see his skipper give penalty duties to an out-of-form Marcus Rashford in a bid to boost his confidence.
Keane however, was less than impressed, claiming to Sky Sports: "He's giving toffee out there to Bruno for passing on the ball for the penalty. Absolute bloody rubbish. Absolute rubbish coming out with that. Manchester United are sixth now - if you went back a few years, if you were sixth you'd be embarrassed. But obviously, they seem happy with sixth."
He can be a hard man to please as Fernandes has found out, but as someone who has lined up in midfield for United himself, Keane will know deep down that the man currently donning the armband is one of the club's biggest success stories in recent years.
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