Keane lashes out at Ian Wright as he calls Bruno Fernandes an 'imposter'

Roy Keane and Ian Wright engaged in a fiery debate over Bruno Fernandes’ leadership, marking one of the former Manchester United captain’s most explosive moments in punditry.

Fernandes’ captaincy has been under scrutiny for several seasons, with critics highlighting his perceived petulance and emotional outbursts on the field as reasons why he may not be the ideal leader.

However, the Portuguese playmaker is undoubtedly United’s most talented player, setting a high standard for his teammates to aspire to.

On the latest episode of the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet, the discussion intensified over whether Fernandes is a suitable leader and if he should bear responsibility for United’s struggles.

Keane launched into a tirade over United’s celebrations after equalizing against Everton, calling them "f***ing bizarre" and likening them to winning a cup final.

He then turned his attention to Fernandes: "I see fans at matches singing for Bruno. I see these boys, I think you're f***ing imposters!"

When Wright defended Fernandes, Keane snapped back: "Ah, Wrighty, I've had enough of that rubbish! You watch United every week. Sit and watch a game with him! People pretend to be closing people down."

Wright argued that Fernandes has inspired the team in crucial moments, pulling them back into games when needed. Keane, however, was unconvinced.

"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 need someone to look at and say, 'I like what he does.' They can’t all score from 25 yards, but they need someone to rally them. Someone saying, 'Lads, are you with me?'"

This season, the statistics highlight United’s reliance on Fernandes more than any other player. His six goals and seven assists (13 goal contributions) account for 39.4% of the team’s total goals (33).

Yet, Wright remained adamant about Fernandes' importance to the team. "Maybe he's not that kind of captain, Roy, I’m with you. But what he's doing—saving you, playing that pass, scoring that goal—that’s undeniable.

"If Bruno’s not there, United are in the relegation battle." The debate then shifted to who should take responsibility for United’s struggles.

"Forget the board for a second. The players who walk on the pitch—who do you start pointing fingers at?" Keane asked.

"At some point, players have to look in the mirror. So who do you start with? The goalkeeper? [Harry] Maguire? Would you criticize Maguire? Or are you too pally with people?"

Wright insisted that not all blame should fall on Fernandes simply because he is captain, leading Keane to once again compare him to Arsenal legend Tony Adams.

"You always talk about Tony Adams being amazing," Keane said.

Wright interjected, explaining that Adams was the captain he was used to, triggering Keane’s most furious response yet.

"Of course! That’s the kind of captain we expect! Was Tony Adams the most talented player in the Arsenal dressing room? So why did you look up to him?"

Wright replied: "Because he was an amazing leader. He led us. He led us to the Championship and everything."

Manchester United is already gearing up for another summer revolution in the transfer market. Ruben Amorim is dissatisfied with most of his squad’s performances but knows he cannot replace everyone. Instead, the club will offload players who do not fit his tactical vision. One notable name on that list? Rasmus Højlund.

On August 5, 2023, United signed Rasmus Højlund from Atalanta for €70 million, plus €10 million in bonuses, on a contract until June 30, 2028. The club made a massive investment in the Danish striker, who had shown promise but lacked consistency at the highest level.

Unfortunately, his struggles have continued at Old Trafford. While he has shone in European competitions—scoring five goals in eight matches—his Premier League form has been underwhelming, with just two goals in 22 appearances. More significantly, he has failed to convince Amorim.

As a result, United are now considering an audacious swap deal with Napoli: offering Højlund plus €40 million in exchange for Victor Osimhen.

Højlund was previously on Napoli’s radar before his move to England, but the situation at the Italian club has changed since then, with new leadership and a different approach to recruitment. Now, the key question is whether Napoli’s decision-makers, Giovanni Manna and Antonio Conte, will entertain the proposal.