Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has responded to Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s remarks regarding the salaries and performance of some of his teammates. Speaking in a recent interview, Ratcliffe, a prominent British businessman, praised Fernandes as a “fabulous footballer,” but criticized other players as being “not good enough” and “overpaid.”

Fernandes’ Rebuttal

Following a standout performance where he scored a hat trick in a 5-2 aggregate victory against Real Sociedad in the Europa League, Fernandes addressed the comments made by Ratcliffe. He emphasized the responsibility of clubs when it comes to player contracts, stating, “The club agrees to do the contracts at the time you come here or at the time you do a new contract.”

He further elaborated on the impact of such criticisms, saying, “It’s not nice to hear certain things obviously. I don’t think that any player likes to hear criticism about being not good enough or overpaid.”

Enduring Criticism from Roy Keane

While Ratcliffe’s comments included praise for Fernandes, the midfielder has faced harsh criticism from former Manchester United captain Roy Keane. Keane has described Fernandes as “not a fighter,” suggesting that raw talent alone does not suffice. In light of this, Fernandes acknowledged Keane’s perspective while stating, “What I’m doing on the pitch, I try to change his mind.” He also recognized Keane as an “amazing captain” and expressed respect for his opinions.

Recent Performance Highlights

Fernandes has been instrumental for Manchester United, especially during a challenging spell for the team. In his last six games, he has netted six goals and has contributed to 11 of the club’s last 13 goals. He noted the importance of proving oneself as a valuable asset to the club, stating, “It’s about yourself proving that you can be important for the club.”

In recognition of his consistency, Fernandes added, “Criticism is going to be always part and it’s going to make me grow and understand that there’s still a long way to go.”