Micah Richards defends Roy Keane after Bruno Fernandes spat, citing United's fallen standards

Micah Richards has moved to defuse the public spat between Roy Keane and Bruno Fernandes, insisting the former Manchester United captain has nothing personal against the current skipper but remains unable to reconcile himself with the club’s diminished ambitions.

Keane and Fernandes clashed publicly after the Irishman accused the Portuguese playmaker of prioritising his assist tally over team results. Fernandes subsequently broke the Premier League record for assists in a single season and hit back at Keane’s criticism directly. Richards, who works alongside Keane as a pundit and describes their relationship as close, says the dispute has been overblown.

“He loves Bruno, I know they had their little fallout, he’s got nothing against Bruno,” Richards told the Mirror. “It’s the standards — they shouldn’t be celebrating getting in the Champions League. He’s passionate; when you’ve been the captain of Man Utd, that’s only his opinion. Yes, he played in better teams, but it is all to do with standards. If United were giving 100 percent every week and just falling short, he’d probably be a bit more complimentary.”

Keane won seven Premier League titles and the Champions League during his time at Old Trafford, and Richards acknowledges that context shapes everything about how the 54-year-old views the modern club. The pundit says Keane’s frustration is less about individual players and more about a collective drop in intensity.

“He just sees players not putting a foot in, not pressing — that’s what he can’t get his head around,” Richards added. “It’s not always about the ability; he got the most from his ability because he gave 100 percent.”

United will begin a new era under Michael Carrick next season, with Richards noting cautious optimism around the appointment. Carrick’s interim spell produced notable results, including a 3-2 win at Arsenal in January courtesy of a late Matheus Cunha strike, though critics noted the lighter fixture schedule as a mitigating factor.

That Arsenal defeat did not derail the Gunners’ season. Mikel Arteta’s side ended a 22-year wait for a league title, though they fell short of a domestic and European double after losing to PSG in the Champions League final on penalties, having taken an early lead.