Roy Keane claimed 'talent is not enough' when it comes to Bruno Fernandes
The Man United captain responded with another top performance at Leicester
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By BEN WILLCOCKS
Published: 15:56 EDT, 18 March 2025 | Updated: 15:56 EDT, 18 March 2025
Rio Ferdinand has weighed in on Roy Keane's ferocious criticism of Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes.
Keane delivered an explosive tirade on Fernandes ahead of the Red Devils' 3-0 win over Leicester on Sunday, claiming the midfielder lacked leadership skills despite persistently impressing with goals and assists at Old Trafford.
During his astonishing rant, which was fiercely argued against by former Arsenal star Ian Wright on the Stick to Football Podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet, Keane claimed 'talent is not enough' in reference to Fernandes.
'People pretend to be closing people down. Talent is not enough. Bruno is a talented player, but talent is not enough. It's not enough, Wrighty. Bruno is not a fighter. You want someone going, "lads, are you with me? Are you with me?"', Keane said on the podcast.
Then, after Wright suggested that Fernandes 'saving' Manchester United with his play on the pitch, Keane explosively replied: 'What's he saving? What's he saving? 2-2 at Everton!'
Fellow Man United legend Ferdinand weighed in on the debate after Sunday's 3-0 win at the King Power, suggesting that Keane's abrasive style of captaincy would not work effectively in the modern era.
Keane (left) claimed 'talent is not enough' in refence to Fernandes' leadership at Old Trafford
Fernandes put in another match-winning display to inspire Man United to a 3-0 win at Leicester
'I think players today would just shut down with someone like Roy. I saw Roy, even with players that weren’t in the first team, almost end their careers before it started with some of the things he said. His tongue was poisonous at times,' he told fellow United legend Andy Cole on his podcast Rio Ferdinand Presents.
'You’d have to step back and laugh, by yourself, and then come out and say "come on man, that’s a bit out of order". I remember Michael Stewart, a young kid at the time, a nice guy, talented Scottish footballer, everyone was saying he’ll be the next one that comes through.
'I remember Roy said to him one day, "in a couple years, do you know where you’re gonna be? You’re gonna be a pub team player". He’s looking at Roy Keane, his hero probably, and Roy has just destroyed him. I saw the life draining out of his body.'
Agreeing with Ferdinand, Cole added: 'Different generations. The way Roy used to lead back then, if Roy was playing now, he couldn’t lead his team.'
Fernandes addressed Keane's criticism after netting his eighth Premier League goal of the season against the Foxes, speaking highly of the Irishman who is widely regarded as one of the game's greatest ever captains.
Asked whether he had been hurt or motivated by Keane's comments, he told Sky Sports: 'I think both. Obviously, it's not nice to hear those things about you, I think no one likes that.
'But at the same time, it motivates and makes you think people think there's a lot of things you have to improve.
'You have to take it in a positive way, and think whatever people are saying, if there's a margin for improvement or not. I know you're talking about Roy Keane. I have huge respect for Roy Keane.
Ferdinand believes Keane's style of captaincy would not work effectively in the modern era
Fellow Man United legend Andy Cole agreed, claiming Keane 'couldn't lead' the Red Devils now
Fernandes addressed Keane's criticism on Sunday - and claimed it has inspired him to improve
'I think he was one of the best captains the club had. An amazing player for the club, won basically everything for this club.
'It's the way he thinks about me as a player, as a captain. I have to respect that. I try to do the things in my own way to be not the best captain but person and team-mate as I can.
'I do it every day. I try to be an example in everything I do in the training sessions, on the pitch.
'But obviously, not everyone will like (it), not everyone will think in the same way, and I respect every opinion of everyone. I have to accept there is a lot of margin for improvement in my game and my leadership.'