Roy Keane has criticised Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire for appearing on podcasts while Manchester United struggle. The former United captain spoke on the Stick to Football podcast after United's 2-0 Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night.
United's Winless Run
The defeat left United winless in their last five games in all competitions. It followed an outburst by Lisandro Martinez, who pointed the finger at the club's summer recruitment. That reportedly led to a clash with a teammate on the flight back to Manchester.
Keane's Criticism of Fernandes and Maguire
Keane pointed to Fernandes and Maguire, saying: "Bruno, Maguire... they're probably busy doing podcasts, I can't imagine them pulling him (Martinez). Bruno's body language, he doesn't seem a happy lad at the moment. They're pulling nobody."
He added: "This reflects where Manchester United are and where this dressing room is. Maguire gets left out of the England squad - he's all upset with that. Instead of rolling his sleeves up during the summer, 'I'm going to go to New York and do a podcast for a few weeks'. That's his mindset."
Keane also referenced Fernandes's appearance on a podcast with Steven Bartlett, saying: "I made a mistake with Bruno (Fernandes) on this programme. Bruno goes on a podcast with (Steven Bartlett), this is the Man United captain, he goes on there, has a little dig at me, no problem, he's entitled to respond. That's the mindset of a Man United player, I'm going to start doing these little gigs instead of getting Man United competing at the very top."
Call for Players to Focus on Pitch
Keane urged players to prioritise football, saying: "So this idea, when I see a player have a little b**** the last few days, I'd be more annoyed at Maguire and Bruno for getting things off their chests on podcasts. You get your priorities in place as a footballer."
He contrasted with his own era: "Back in our day it was more magazines than podcasts, but if a player went off and said something, even silly, he'd come in the dressing room, and lads would say: 'What are you talking about?' You'd put him in his place in that sense - not a big bust-up."
Keane concluded: "Man United is a circus. If you can, try and do your talking on the pitch. If you have to let off a bit of steam, ok, but try and do it on the back of some victories, or when you've won a league title or something like that. These players have done nothing for the last few years at Man United. Two years ago we were finishing 13th (15th) or whatever, getting knocked out by Grimsby, and they're coming up with all these comments."
