Roy Keane has cleared the air with Bruno Fernandes after the Manchester United captain accused him of telling a “lie”. The former Republic of Ireland midfielder misquoted Fernandes during an appearance on The Overlap podcast in May, claiming the Portuguese had said “I probably should have shot but I made them passes” following a 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest. Fernandes hit back, pointing out his actual words: “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.”
Keane, who also described Fernandes as being at the centre of a “circus act” and questioned his mindset, called the United captain after he reached out for a discussion. “We had a lovely chat,” Keane said on Wednesday’s Stick to Football podcast. “It was nice because when we do podcasts … you communicate something and it doesn’t come across properly, so people get upset … We had a nice, mature conversation.” Fernandes, who broke the record for the most assists in a single Premier League season on the final day of the 2025-26 campaign, has now resolved the dispute with the club legend.
“Roy Keane and Bruno Fernandes have resolved their dispute over a misquote, as Manchester United pursue Mateus Fernandes for £85m.”
As the squad prepares for the next season – with Casemiro, Tyrell Malacia and Jadon Sancho among those released on the retained list – United are also pursuing a different Fernandes. The club has made contact with the agent of West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes, according to transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano. The 21-year-old, who forced a move from Southampton to West Ham last summer after their relegation, now finds himself in a similar position. West Ham, relegated from the Premier League, are demanding a substantial fee of £85m – more than double the £42m they paid 12 months ago – partly due to a 15% sell-on clause owed to Southampton.
Fernandes previously told Southampton owner Dragan Solak he had to leave to play for Portugal. “He actually broke me when he told me why he could not stay,” Solak told the Southern Daily Echo. “He said, ‘If I stay in Southampton, I will never get to play for the Portuguese national team.’” Despite being omitted from Portugal’s World Cup squad, the midfielder’s ambitions are unlikely to have changed, and he may again push for a move – potentially allowing United to negotiate a lower fee. The Red Devils have already agreed a £35m deal with Atalanta for Brazilian midfielder Ederson, making a second midfield signing a priority.