Roy Keane digs out captain Bruno Fernandes after Man City outclass United at Old Trafford
City dominated as they often do, but Keane didn't see the kind of reaction you'd want from United players in a big game — especially from one man in particular.
Manchester United legend Roy Keane had little positive to say about his former team’s performance against Manchester City in the derby on Sunday but chose to dig out club captain Bruno Fernandes, in particular, during his disappointed post-match analysis.
The ex-Man United midfielder has never been one to shy away from criticising the Red Devils even when he was still at the club, so after Pep Guardiola‘s side cruised to a comfortable 3-0 win over the home side in the Manchester derby, Keane was brutally honest as usual, with Fernandes receiving the brunt of it.
Speaking on the panel alongside Jamie Carragher, Micah Richards and former teammate Gary Neville, Keane began by stating that the fact “one bad decision seems to follow another” is symptomatic of the overall problem at the club, which he admits is in stark contrast to the days under Sir Alex Ferguson.
The 52-year-old then went on to insist that they’re taking the backroom and structural “chaos… onto the pitch” and after Carragher insisted Erik ten Hag has got it wrong, stating that “Bruno Fernandes should not be a captain”, Keane went on to say that it “should be taken off him”.
"He's the opposite to what I would want in a captain!"
Acknowledging that ten Hag has already stripped one player of the captaincy after struggling to perform this season in Harry Maguire and that to do so again might be a big decision, the Irishman went on to argue that “Fernandes is not captain material”.
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Taking issue with the Portuguese player’s behaviour on the pitch as opposed to his ability — confessing “he’s a talented player, no doubt about it” — Keane says that Bruno’s “whinging, moaning [and] throwing his arms up in the air constantly” isn’t acceptable from a leadership figure, adding that his demeanour this weekend was just one example of something that has been noted “many times before”.
The former player and coach turned pundit summarised by saying that based on what he saw on Sunday, he would take the captain’s armband away from the 29-year-old moving forward, going so far as to say, “he’s the opposite to what I would want in a captain”.
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Fernandes only earned the captaincy back in July after the manager saw fit to remove the stress of the position from Maguire’s shoulders given his ongoing struggles with form and confidence, and it’s safe to say it wouldn’t look great for the Dutchman to change his mind once again so soon after. You can watch the Manchester derby debrief in full here.
Nevertheless, a former club captain himself, Keane said ten Hag can comfortably hold his hands up and say, “I got it wrong”, and that this step is a crucially feasible one for him to take, whereas questions surrounding ownership, the board and so on are simply aren’t within his power.
Keano’s criticism didn’t stop there either, as he described the entire showing as “a really poor day at the office for them – very, very poor”, remarking that “they are so far off it, it is hard to watch.”
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He signed off by saying that you simply “never know what you’re going to get with Man United” from week to week and that this isn’t something you can accept if you want to be a big club challenging for silverware.
To make matters worse, Man City‘s latest derby day victory made for a less-than-appealing record for their neighbours, as it also marked United’s 34th defeat at home since Sir Alex retired — the same amount of games he lost there in his entire 26 years at the club.
Manchester United Premier League losses at Old Trafford under Sir Alex Ferguson: 34
Manchester United Premier League losses at Old Trafford since he retired: 34
Featured Images — Sky Sports/Man United/Man City (via X)
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A local Manc content creator is looking to set a world record by running around Old Trafford
Danny Jones
A local content creator, who specialises in running/hiking content (and sandwiches), is looking to raise money and potentially set a world record by jogging around Old Trafford.
Oh, and by jogging, we mean running – for a really, REALLY long time…
If you’ve never come across his channel before, let us introduce you to local influencer and videographer Sam Matthew, a.k.a. ‘Peaks and Pubs‘.
Boasting plenty of fans on both Instagram and TikTok within the world of trail running, the outdoors community and beyond, he’s set to toastreaching a very specific achievement by “turning a milestone into a mission” and doing laps around Old Trafford, the home of Manchester United Football Club.
As explained in the video, he’s now surpassed 74,310 followers, i.e. the same capacity of supporters you can fit inside the Theatre of Dreams itself.
We know, it’s distance running and feats of endurance aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, but they are a great way of raising money and awareness, not to mention possibly getting yourself in the official Guinness Book of World Records.
Explaining the challenge in the caption of the video, Sam writes: “There’s now enough of you lot following this daft account of mine on here to fill a stadium I’ve adored since I was a little boy. And that genuinely means so much to me.
“So why not celebrate the occasion by punishing my legs and raising money for good causes along the way? Donations are, of course, the aim, but I understand that not everybody is in the position to do that, so any engagement on this post is hugely appreciated.
“I mean it from the bottom of my heart that you lot genuinely make this all happen for me, and I couldn’t be more grateful that I get to do silly stuff like this on a random Wednesday [29 October]. Giving off pure ‘your unemployed friend on a Wednesday’ vibes, but I love it!”
Raising money for the club’s in-house Manchester United Foundation, which has already shown its support for the upcoming ultra-marathon distance event, they are also looking to generate crucial funds with the return of another annual charity event too.
The Foundation does some incredible work all year-round, if you’d rather swap running around Old Trafford for sleeping.
Once again, Sam will be kicking off the serious step-count from approximately 9am this Wednesday (28 Oct), he’s estimating it’ll take him around a whopping nine and a half hours, “with plenty of breaks for food and fluids”, thank god.
As the man behind most of the Bada Bing videos, we expect plenty of butties to fuel the running.
Furthermore, although he’s set to take on the distance solo for the morning, he’s invited as many people who fancy getting involved to come and join him for a lap or two from 12 noon onwards; hopefully, he’ll see the Guinness people popping along to see if he registers a world record while he’s at it, too.
We hope there are a few pints at the pub waiting for you at the end, as always, Sam.
Featured Images — Peaks and Pubs (supplied)/The Manc Group
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A live Shaun the Sheep stage show and circus is coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
Brace yourselves, because one of the best fun-for-all-ages events is coming to Manchester: the official Shaun the Sheep stage and circus show is coming to Factory International.
This isn’t just one to keep the children entertained; we already know plenty of big kids who grew up on Shaun, Shirley, and the rest of the sheep are already thinking about grabbing tickets.
Created by Nick Park, the same man responsible for Wallace and Gromit, this live stage production and incredibly practical circus show of the beloved British cartoon is already critically acclaimed.
Now set to make its full European debut right here in our city, Shaun the Sheep’s Circus Show teams up with leading performance company Circa to bring the TV show to life this winter.
‘It’s gonna be un-BAAA-leivable’.
Conceived not only by the award-winning minds at Aardman Animation, but the experienced performers at Circa, this ‘in the flesh’ (and wool) interpretation of the slapstick CBBC classic will not only delight younger audiences, but bring plenty of energy to keep the adults entertained too.
Promising a “live circus performance, simultaneously blurring the lines between movement, dance, theatre and circus for a visual spectacle packed with wit”, you can expect acrobatics and circus skills.
Stunts will include the likes of tumbling, juggling, aerial hoop, aerial silks, trapeze, Spanish web and Chinese pole, just to name a few.
And, of course, there’ll be plenty of Aardman’s signature heartwarming comedy in W&G, Chicken Run, Arthur Christmas, Flushed Away and more.
Naturally, all the usual suspects will be on show to: Shaun, Bitzer, The Farmer and the rest of the Flock – and yes, in case the trailer didn’t give it away, they are people who are not just dressed up as adorable real-life lambs but bouncing, flipping and flying all over the stage.
Coming to Aviva Studios this festive period, it’ll be taking place in The Hall: one of the venue’s largest and most dynamic rooms, with the state-of-the-art building famously able to alter the size of individual stages and spaces depending on the event.
John McGrath, Artistic Director and Chief Executive of Factory International, said: “We’re thrilled to be working with Circa and Aardman to present the European premiere of this fun-filled show at our home in Aviva Studios.
“Circa presents award-winning circus performances to audiences across the globe, and their collaboration with Aardman Studios creates a unique offering for families, circus fans and everyone who loves Shaun the Sheep“
Running from Tuesday, 11 December 2025 until Sunday, 4 January 2026, they’ve also ensured affordable admission from just £10; you can grab your tickets now.
Danny Jones -
30th October 2023 
