Despite criticism from Roy Keane and Paul Ince, Bruno Fernandes insists he is the perfect man to captain Manchester United.

Since becoming United captain, Fernandes has come under fire for his body language, with some analysts claiming that his continual moaning and sniping at officials does not help the team’s cause. However, the Portuguese thinks that the actual reason he is being chastised is that his goal and assist output has plummeted since his quick start at Old Trafford after a big-money deal from Sporting in January 2020.

Since being chosen captain, legendary United captain Roy Keane has been a harsh critic of Fernandes, particularly his decision to award a penalty to Marcus Rashford against Everton on Sunday. Paul Ince has also criticized the midfielder, stating he focuses on himself when he should be motivating his teammates.

“Obviously you don’t like to be criticized, everyone is the same,” United captain Wayne Rooney said during a press conference. “But at the same time, I have to do what I think is best for my team.” When you play for Manchester United, you are bound to face criticism, whether you perform well or poorly, do the right or wrong thing. I just have to cope with it; it’s been usual since I’ve been at the club. Everything was perfect at first, since if you do anything different from everyone else in the first game, it would be all roses. But then I realized that the difficult part is always coming, because when the results do not come, when the performance is not what everyone expects, because the expectations are continually rising.”

“I know since I arrived at the club, my numbers made me a target, so not keeping the same numbers on goals and assists is sometimes a problem for me in the criticism because they are going to take from there,” Fernandes added. There will always be something going on now that I am captain. Now my attention is on the team, the staff, and everyone who works with me on a daily basis; I believe they are pleased with me; the way I am has not changed since I arrived at the club, and it has not changed since I became captain. I don’t believe it needs to alter. I am extremely honest with everyone, therefore no one has ever had an issue with me, so I think I should keep it up; everyone is pleased with my leadership.”

The captain will take United into one of the most frightening environments in the world when they face Galatasaray in the Champions League on Wednesday, with a win ensuring their place in Europe’s elite competition.