Bruno Fernandes responds to Roy Keane & others criticising his actions as Man Utd captain

Bruno Fernandes hit back at those who have criticised his captaincy style and said he does what he thinks ‘is right’ for the team in that moment.

The Manchester United midfielder became permanent captain in the summer after taking over the role for Harry Maguire, but has been slated by the likes of Jamie Carragher and Roy Keane over perceived petulance in games. The latter claimed Fernandes was the ‘opposite’ to what he would want from a captain, following last month’s Manchester derby loss.

But Fernandes defended his actions, speaking ahead of the Champions League clash against Galatasaray, and said the majority inside the club are happy with his conduct as United skipper.

“Obviously you don’t like to be criticised, everyone is the same, but at the same time I have to do what I think is the best for my team,” said the Portugal international. “Probably I am not always right but in my head at the moment is the right choice, so I do it. It is quite normal when you play for Manchester United you are going to get criticised, even if you do well or bad, if you do the wrong or the right thing.

“I just have to deal with that, it is normal since I arrived at the club. In the beginning everything was perfect, because when you arrive in the first game, if you do something different than anyone else is doing, it is going to be all flowers. But after that I understand the tough part is always coming, because when the result is not coming, when the performances are not what everyone expects to be, because the expectations are always higher and higher.

“I know since I arrived at the club my numbers made myself a target so not keeping the same numbers on goals and assists is sometimes a problem for me in the criticism because they are going to take from there. Now is the captaincy, there is going to be always something.

“Now any focus is on the team, the staff, everyone who works with me day by day, I think they are pretty happy with me, the way I am is the same since I arrived at the club, it has not changed since being captain. I don’t think it has to change. I am really open with everyone so no one until now has had a problem with me, so I think I should keep like that, everyone is pretty happy with my leadership.”