Roy Keane furiously labelled Manchester United’s players as “imposters” and was heavily critical of captain Bruno Fernandes during an explosive row with Ian Wright.
The Portugal international is regarded as United’s best success story in the transfer market of recent times after becoming a key player throughout his five years with the club, becoming captain in July 2023.
Ruben Amorim hailed the 30-year-old as a “special player” for his starring role in Wednesday’s 3-2 win over Ipswich, days after inspiring his side as they came from two down to draw 2-2 with Everton.
But that is not enough for seven-time Premier League winner and former Red Devils skipper Keane, who labelled the 15th-placed side as “imposters” and was left angered by suggestions by co-star Ian Wright that Fernandes doesn’t deserve blame for their precarious position.
Keane said on The Overlap: “They draw at Everton, it’s like they won the cup. It’s f****** bizarre!
“The level of the fans, I see fans singing for Bruno. I see these boys, and I think they’re f****** imposters.
“Save us? They’re 15th in the league and he’s saving them? Praise the lord
“You have to have a starting point. I go back to it all – talent is not enough. Bruno’s a talented player, but talent’s not enough.”
Former Arsenal star Wright’s attempts to defend Fernandes further enraged Keane, who added: “You talk to me [about] who you were in a dressing room with. ‘Tony Adams was this’, ‘Tony Adams was that’. Yeah, because he was a fighter. Bruno’s not a fighter.
“You’ve got young players. You have to look at somebody and go ‘I like what he does’.
“They all can’t put the ball in the top of the net from 25 yards, I get that. But you want someone who is going ‘lads, are you with me?’”
“Talent’s not enough to play for a big club!” 😡
Roy and Wrighty clash over Bruno Fernandes’ impact as Man Utd captain! 😳
Is this the most explosive moment in Stick to Football history? 👀 pic.twitter.com/vzSQNcRIWV
— The Overlap (@WeAreTheOverlap) February 27, 2025
Wright claimed that “if Bruno’s not there, United are in the relegation places” and temperatures rose as Keane returned to former Arsenal captain Adams.
When Wright said that was the skipper he was used to, Keane screamed: “Yeah, yeah, of course. That’s what the captain we expect!
“Was Tony Adams the most talented player in that Arsenal dressing room? So, why do you look up to Tony Adams and go ‘listen, I’ve got a lot of time for him’?
“And what did he do with his leadership? Leadership is action. Leadership to me is about action.”