Bruno Fernandes fires back at Roy Keane & Man Utd captaincy critics as he reveals why he's being targeted - and it's not due to his body language

Fernandes has received a lot of criticism for his body language since becoming United captain, with several pundits saying that his constant complaining and sniping at referees does not help the team's cause. However, the Portuguese claims the real reason he is being criticised is because his goals and assists output has dropped after his lightning fast start to life at Old Trafford following a big-money move from Sporting in January 2020.

Legendary United captain Roy Keane has been a fierce critic of Fernandes since he was named captain and criticised his decision to give a penalty to Marcus Rashford against Everton on Sunday. Paul Ince has also slammed the midfielder, saying he makes everything about himself when he should be galvanising his team-mates.

The United skipper told a press conference: "Obviously you don’t like to be criticised, everyone is the same, but at the same time I have to do what I think is the best for my team. It is quite normal when you play for Manchester United you are going to get criticised, even if you do well or bad, if you do the wrong or the right thing. I just have to deal with that, it is normal since I arrived at the club. In the beginning was everything perfect, because when you arrive in the first game if you do something different than anyone else is doing, is gonna be all flowers. But after that I understand the tough part is always coming, because when the result is not coming, when the performance are not what everyone expects to be, because the expectations are always higher and higher."

Fernandes added: "I know since I arrived at the club my numbers made myself a target so not keeping the same numbers on goals and assists is sometimes a problem for me in the criticism because they are gonna take from there. Now is the captaincy, there is gonna be always something. Now my focus is on the team, the staff, everyone who works with me day by day, I think they are pretty happy with me, the way I am is the same since I arrived at the club, it has not changed since being captain. I don’t think it has to change. I am really open with everyone so no one until now has had a problem with me, so I think I should keep like that, everyone is pretty happy with my leadership."

The captain will lead United into one of the most intimidating atmospheres in the world when they face Galatasaray in the Champions League on Wednesday, needing a victory to ensure they remain in Europe's elite competition.