‘Pundits have to say something’, Bruno Fernandes hits back at Keane, Neville over comments

Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes has fired back at Gary Neville and Roy Keane following their criticism over his on-pitch conduct.

The former Man United captains tore into Fernandes in the aftermath of the Red Devils’ 7-0 thrashing at the hands of bitter rivals Liverpool.

Keane suggested the body language he saw from Fernandes was ‘nothing short of disgraceful’, while Neville labeled the number eight ‘embarrassing at times’ and also said, “That wasn’t a captain’s performance from a Manchester United player and I am sure Erik ten Hag will deal with that.”

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Fernandes has defended his behaviour and has suggested it is the result of his determination to win and the frustrations that may boil over if that isn’t the case.

“I think obviously sometimes I go over the line, I know that. But as I said, it can happen with the game and it’s difficult to control the emotions,” he told Sky Sports.

“I never try to be disrespectful with anyone obviously. As I said, we are all competitive, we all want to win and I just think that the way I play, the way I feel the game, the passion I have for the game is the way I feel better and I feel that I can give the most to my team and to my club. That’s why I play in that way and also I’ve been like that since I was seven years old.

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“I don’t want to lose any game. I’m really competitive, I always try to push and give the best of myself and also push the others to give the best of themselves because if I ask someone or if I’m on the pitch and see someone that I’m speaking to them and try and say something, it’s because I believe that they can do better than what they’re doing.”

Fernandes even suggested it is a pundit’s prerogative to focus on the negatives.

“I kind of understand what’s going on behind that but I can’t control that. We all know the pundits have to say something,” he added.

“They have to give their work as most bad things they say, the more work they get sometimes. We just have to live with that but for me, it’s about my teammates being okay and happy with that. Whenever they are not, I like them to tell me and so I calm myself down.”