Roy Keane branded Bruno Fernandes and his Manchester United team-mates ‘bluffers’ after the club hit a new low at Newcastle on Sunday.
A 4-1 defeat at St James’ Park confirmed that United will finish with their lowest points total in Premier League history.
Afterwards, captain Fernandes admitted that ‘it’s easy to criticise because this club has never suffered like this’, but tried to rally United ahead of Thursday’s Europa League second leg against Lyon.
Former United skipper Keane wasn’t impressed though and aimed another broadside at his old club on Sky Sports. ‘Bruno does front up but it’s kind of just soundbites now,’ said Keane.
‘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.
Roy Keane claimed Bruno Fernandes’ words after Sunday’s defeat were ‘soundbites’
Fernandes claimed it was easy to criticise his side as a result of their current plight this season
Ruben Amorim’s team were handed a record-equalling 14th defeat of the season by Newcastle
‘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.’
United were handed a chastening 14th Premier League defeat of the campaign at the hands of a rampant Newcastle, equalling their record for most losses in a single season in the process.
Sandro Tonali and Alejandro Garnacho both netted in the first half, before a Harvey Barnes brace and Bruno Guimaraes finish off the back of an Altay Bayindir error gave Newcastle an ultimately comfortable 4-1 win.
United had seen some positive results in recent weeks and shown signs of turning a corner at the tail end of a campaign that has seen them reach record depths in the Premier League era.
Yet that progress was dealt a hefty blow, and ahead of a season-defining quarter final second leg against Lyon in the Europa League, captain Fernandes insisted eyes were already set on Thursday’s clash.
‘It’s the opinion of the people. We’re not stupid, we know the position we are it’s easy to criticise because this club has never been like this. When you play for Manchester United you know the criticism will be there.
‘Thursday is big to get into the semi-final, we’re going to play at home, we’re going to play in front of our fans. They will be there for us on Thursday. It’s time for us to understand we need to give something back. We always try.
Fernandes insisted that his side would give everything they have in order to beat Lyon
He was hooked late on with Amorim keeping an eye on that season-defining European clash
Harvey Barnes starred for Newcastle with two goals as the Magpies inflicted a 4-1 defeat
‘You’ve even seen myself frustrated. I know we’re much better than we have been. My team-mates I only get frustrated because I know how good they are.
‘We’re going to create a big atmosphere, we want to give everything we have.
‘I don’t need to believe, I need to see what we have done in the past. We play our best football in decisive games where everyone is watching. We are Man United, we have to step up and I’m pretty sure we will be together.’
Fernandes was taken off late in the game with Amorim’s attention already turning to Thursday’s Europa League clash with Lyon.
Winning the competition is United’s last realistic chance of securing Champions League qualification, and rescuing something resembling success from a below-par campaign.
