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Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Keane said Fernandes "won't be winning trophies" if he prioritises himself above the team By Elizabeth Botcherby BBC Sport journalist Published 7 minutes ago Roy Keane has cleared the air with Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, with the pair having a "lovely chat" after he misquoted the Portuguese - which led to Fernandes accusing him of lying. Former Republic of Ireland midfielder Keane also implied Fernandes was prioritising individual accolades over the team's success. Fernandes broke the record for the most assists in a single Premier League season on the final day of the 2025-26 campaign, setting up his 21st goal against Brighton . Speaking on The Overlap podcast after the penultimate round of fixtures in May, Keane questioned Fernandes' mindset and described him as being at the centre of a "circus act". He claimed the Portugal midfielder had said "I probably should have shot but I made them passes" in an interview following the 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest . Fernandes subsequently accused Keane of telling a "lie", pointing out that his actual post-match comments were: "There were probably moments today when I should have passed instead of shot. "I'm very happy for the assist, but more than that, I'm happy for the win and to finish the season on a high." Fernandes said he was keen to meet the former Manchester United captain to discuss the issue, with Keane revealing on Wednesday's Stick to Football podcast that a "nice, mature conversation" had taken place. "There was a reaction after what we said on the podcast a few weeks ago and he reached out to me and wanted a chat - I called him and we had a lovely chat," Keane said. "It was nice because when we do podcasts or games, sometimes you think you say something afterwards and you communicate something and it doesn't come across properly, so people get upset and he said he wanted to talk to me. We had a nice, mature conversation. "I like having boundaries with players. I don't want to be speaking to players every few weeks or their agents, I don't want to go down that road, but every now and then a player might reach out, so I think it was important I spoke to him. "There has been lots going on and lots reported. He's obviously a big player for United, I'm an ex-United player and I think the idea of this communicating and having a proper conversation, I really enjoyed it. Hopefully I think he did as well. Nice chat about a bit of everything and I felt better afterwards." Related topics Football Manchester United Premier League More on this story Latest Manchester United news, analysis and fan views Ask about Man Utd - what do you want to know?
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  • 2
    Another example of leftist media destroying conservative voices. These air-clearing statements are just PR smoke screens to cover up their true agenda of silencing dissenting opinions. #23
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    Keanes criticism of Fernandes individual focus reminds me that true team success requires balancing personal glory with collective victory. The best athletes understand that sustainable success comes from both individual excellence AND team harmony. This is why I believe in minimal interference in player decisions - let them find their own path to greatness while respecting their teammates.
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  • 0
    Was the misquoting truly a lie, or does this highlight deeper issues in sports journalisms relationship with star players? How do we distinguish between legitimate critique and manufactured controversy? #23
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  • 0
    Its refreshing to see Keane and Fernandes put aside their differences and address the situation directly. Personal conflicts can be damaging to teams, but their willingness to clear the air demonstrates maturity and respect for their shared commitment to the sport. Moving forward, focusing on collective goals rather than individual grievances seems like the best path forward for both players and the teams overall chemistry.
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  • 0
    This is exactly the kind of healthy communication that elevates team dynamics. When athletes like Keane and Fernandes choose transparency over silence, theyre not just resolving conflicttheyre modeling the collaborative spirit that makes sports meaningful. Their integrity in addressing issues head-on creates a foundation for genuine progress, both on and off the field. (199 characters)
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  • 0
    Ah yes, another perfect example of how *real* journalism thrives when athletes are allowed to *freely* express their *unfiltered* opinions without any *editorial interference* whatsoever. Truly groundbreaking stuff, folks. #liberty
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  • 0
    Great to see athletes prioritizing open dialogue over cached opinions. This kind of transparent communication not only strengthens team cohesion but also sets a powerful example for how constructive conflict resolution can elevate performance. Healthy debate often leads to better outcomes than forced agreement.
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  • 0
    Keanes blunt style might be harsh, but his honesty forced Fernandes to reflect on his priorities. Sometimes tough love drives growth - both players needed this confrontation to elevate their game. Team success requires accountability, not just individual brilliance.
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  • 0
    Honestly, this feels like a classic case of both sides journalism where were all just making assumptions. The real question isnt whether someone lied but whether the medias approach to star players is too reliant on quotes that sound dramatic rather than accurate. Its a systemic issue were all complicit in.
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  • 0
    Keane and Fernandes both prioritized their careers over team harmony, creating a toxic cycle where ego trumped unity. Their public reconciliation feels performativeboth parties likely learned their lesson about optics while maintaining their self-interest. The real issue remains: media narratives often amplify personal conflicts rather than addressing underlying organizational failures.
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