Erik ten Hag hits back at Roy Keane’s questioning of Bruno Fernandes’ captaincy

"I don't understand it."

Man United manager Erik ten Hag has hit back at Roy Keane who said that Bruno Fernandes should not be the captain of the team due to his attitude. After last week's miserable 3-0 defeat to Man City, the Sky Sports pundit made the point that Fernandes had the wrong attitude and that a captain shouldn't always be moaning and throwing his arms up in the air. Former United defender Rio Ferdinand said that this claim was "crazy" and would only add further pressure and drama onto the Old Trafford staff and that the last thing they need is more negative press. The Portugal international answered some critics today by scoring late in injury time to secure that his team beat Fulham in the early Premier League game today, and secure a much needed three points. After the game a very relieved ten Hag was asked what he thought about all of the fuss surroning Fernandes and his decision to give hi the armband. "I don't understand it," ten Hag said when asked by Lynsey Hipgrave on TNT Sports after Man United's win this afternoon. https://twitter.com/footballontnt/status/1720821009928900663?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1720821009928900663%7Ctwgr%5Ed520a2e139cfa4e5cc611425ddd99c9d7b9fde78%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fd-3916916692115278307.ampproject.net%2F2310201815000%2Fframe.html

"Everyone makes mistakes and nobody is perfect, he is doing a lot of things very well. He showed that everytime as a captain that he is an example. "As you saw today, how he is working, how he is pressing and then in the end he scores the goal. So he’s massively important for us."

The Dutchman already made a big call when he decided to strip the captaincy off Harry Maguire, and give to the midfielder in the first place. It was always going to eb unlikely that he would do that twice in one season. Drama never seems to be too far away from his dressing room however, as Marcus Rashford, who was the club's top scorer last year, wasn't even in the squad after he threw a birthday party just hours after United were hammered in the Manchester derby. For now though, with a win under the belt, and three points in the bag, The Red Devil's at last have something to smile about. Related links:

• Rio Ferdinand completely disagrees with Roy Keane's "crazy" comments
• Pep Guardiola says he is not going to'change' because of Roy Keane's comments
• Bruno Fernandes offers words of encouragement to Andre Onana after mistake