Phil Neville hits back at Richard Keys for 'disgraceful' Bruno Fernandes claim

10 December 2023 , 15:41

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Phil Neville hits back at Richard Keys for 'disgraceful' Bruno Fernandes claim

Phil Neville has hit back at Richard Keys after he accused Bruno Fernandes of deliberately getting booked against Bournemouth in order to miss Manchester United's upcoming game against rivals Liverpool.

Fernandes was shown a yellow card late on for arguing with referee Peter Bankes and will now serve a one-match ban, with it the fifth time he has been booked this season. As a result, the Red Devils captain will miss United's trip to Anfield next weekend.

And Keys suggested on beIN Sports that Fernandes got himself booked on purpose in order to miss the game, having been part of the United side that got thrashed 7-0 by Liverpool at Anfield last season.

"I think he knows at 3-0 down, United stopped playing and it could have been four or five," Keys claimed. "I think he knows that next week could be a bad day out for the football club.

"If we're all agreed that if he knew he got booked he would miss the game, I can't think of any other scenario whereby I could allow him the room to manoeuvre on that and say 'it was a heated moment'. It wasn't.

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"I think he knew he gets booked and misses the game. That, for me, sums him up. He is not a captain, he is not a leader and his position there has been questioned by proper Manchester United captains."

However, former United defender Neville has branded Keys' comments "ridiculous" and "disgraceful". When the claim was put to him in an appearance on NBC, Neville said: "I think that's ridiculous talk, whoever said that in public is a disgrace.

Bruno Fernandes was needlessly booked against Bournemouth and will miss Manchester United's trip to Liverpool as a result (Getty Images)

"If you look at Bruno Fernandes, I love Bruno Fernandes, he cares about Manchester United. Look at the teams in the top six, that's the one player I'd take. Look at the one player who comes out after a defeat - it's Bruno Fernandes.

"Captains over the years have played like Bruno Fernandes. Roy Keane whinged and whined like Bruno Fernandes. In this team, he's the best player, he plays right wing, center midfield and he just gets on with it because he cares about the club."

Keys, meanwhile, doubled down on his comments on social media. "For the avoidance of doubt I'll say it again," he wrote. "Fernandes knew he’d miss the Anfield game if he got a yellow. He didn't want to play in it. 0-3 down & he has a tantrum. Captain? Leader? Others should be calling him out on it."

Matthew Cooper