‘It’s just soundbites’ – Roy Keane slams Bruno Fernandes over ‘meaningless’ interview after Newcastle maul Man Utd
ROY KEANE slammed Bruno Fernandes over a “meaningless” interview following Manchester United’s 4-1 defeat at Newcastle.
The Red Devils were torn apart by their opponents at St James’ Park on Sunday.
Altay Bayindir had a nightmare Premier League debut and gifted Newcastle their fourth goal with an absolute howler.
But United were second best in all areas of the pitch as the defeat left them 14th in the table.
And thoughts now turn to Thursday’s crunch Europa League clash against Lyon, who netted a late equaliser last week thanks to Andre Onana’s clanger.
Speaking after the match, Fernandes insisted United can do better and vowed to make amends in the next game.
He said: “My team-mates – I only get frustrated with them because I know how good they can be.”
“I know how tough it is to represent this club. They want so much to give to the club, to win because they know how much they will be remembered if they win something with this club.
“On Thursday we go forward, we create a big atmosphere in our stadium, we need to be on the front foot and give everything we have because we want to get to the semi-final.
“In tough moments we have done great performances against the biggest clubs.
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“In decisive games when everyone is watching. We are Man United, we have to step up and do everything to win the game.”
But this did not go down well with Keane, who accused Fernandes of producing “soundbites” while glossing over the real issues of the day.
Man Utd ratings vs Newcastle as Zirkzee does well before injury but dropped Onana's stand-in has a shocker
MANCHESTER UNITED’S worst ever Premier League season was confirmed with a 4-1 defeat to Newcastle.
The Red Devils are now guaranteed to finish on less than 56 points, which is their lowest ever Prem total.
And they can only get that high if they win ALL of their last six games.
If they’re not careful, they could even finish 17th – just one spot above the marooned bottom three.
It was another dark day that reflects a poor campaign for United as Newcastle carved them open with ease in the second-half.
Ruben Amorim dropped keeper Andre Onana after his horror show against Lyon midweek.
But stand-in Altay Bayindir had a game to forget too.
Sandro Tonali’s volley, a double by Harvey Barnes and a Bruno Guimaraes finish cancelled out Alejandro Garnacho’s goal.
Here is how SunSport’s Gary Stonehouse rated the United performances…
Keane said: “Bruno does front up but it’s kind of just soundbites now.
“There’s no meaning to it. I don’t know how we can listen to the United players’ interviews anymore because I’m not sure if they’re an honest group.
“He keeps talking about having belief in his team-mates, but real good team-mates put demands on each other. These aren’t team-mates, they are bluffers.
“When I listen to Bruno, amazing player, I still have question marks about his leadership. He’s certainly not getting any help around him.
“Newcastle were outstanding. I think United now are physically and mentally a weak team.
“Ruben Amorim is scratching his head. I bet he cannot believe how bad this Man United team is.”
Fans reacted online to Keane’s latest criticism of Fernandes.
One said: “I’m not impressed either.”
Another declared: “No matter what Fernandes does, it will never be good enough for Keane.”
One noted: “Take no notice of it Bruno.”
Another added: “Absolute joke.”
Roy Keane's rant in full
Speaking live on Sky Sports:
“To be fair to Bruno Fernandes he fronts up but to me it’s just soundbites now.
“Talking about Thursday, it’s all they talk about. Lyon are sixth in the league, I fully expect Man United to beat them.
“He was talking about his team-mates and belief but what about his right-back Dalot who didn’t put a leg out to tackle?
“I hope he is pulling him in the dressing room because he keeps talking about having belief in his teammates but real good teammates put demands on each other.
“When I listen to Bruno, I have question marks about his leadership.
“He certainly isn’t getting any help around him, it must be tough playing in that midfield when the expectation is on him because that’s unfair on him.
“But when he’s doing his chats about supporters and this, to me it’s just soundbites. There is no meaning to it.
“I’m not sure this United group are an honest group. The best players put demands on me. That’s what real good team-mates do. These aren’t team-mates, they are bluffers.
“We keep making excuses for this team. There are not enough players who can run in the team.
“I don’t think there are players who want to run. Not enough of a goal threat. You’ve got to dig deep, even when you’re up against it and they didn’t do that in the second half.
“We spoke at half-time [about] the big test was to come in the second half.
“Looking at Newcastle, they’re outstanding, they’re used to winning big games now, they’ve got into a really good habit.
“United are the opposite. I think United now are physically and mentally a weak team.
“Ruben Amorim is scratching his head. I bet he cannot believe how bad this Man United team is.”