Roy Keane has waxed lyrical over Bruno Fernandes and his performance against Nottingham Forest just days after the midfielder replied to the Manchester United legend's complaint over his on-pitch conduct.
While Fernandes was at his brilliant best at the City ground on Sunday, he has come under fire from some pundits in recent weeks over the way he behaves during games. Both Keane and fellow United legend Gary Neville have publicly questioned the current Red Devils star in relation to his attitude in the heat of the moment.
Neville dubbed Fernandes a "disgrace" for his showing in last month's 7-0 mauling away at Liverpool, while Keane has had more than one jab at the former Sporting star.
His most infamous came two years ago, when the Irishman claimed Fernandes has a disrespectful attitude towards his team-mates.
However, a more recent scathing review from Keane also came in the aftermath of the humbling at the hands of Liverpool.
"Fernandes’ body language today was nothing short of disgraceful," he said. "A really talented boy, he's your captain, but his body language, waving his arms, not running back, you wouldn’t be happy with him in your dressing room."
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With that in mind, Fernandes issued a response defending his actions prior to the 2-0 victory away at Nottingham Forest.
“I think obviously sometimes I go over the line, I know that. But as I said, it can happen with the game and it’s difficult to control the emotions.
"I never try to be disrespectful with anyone obviously. As I said, we are all competitive, we all want to win and I just think that the way I play, the way I feel the game, the passion I have for the game is the way I feel better and I feel that I can give the most to my team and to my club. That’s why I play in that way and also I’ve been like that since I was seven years old.
"I don’t want to lose any game. I'm really competitive, I always try to push and give the best of myself and also push the others to give the best of themselves because if I ask someone or if I’m on the pitch and see someone that I’m speaking to them and try and say something, it’s because I believe that they can do better than what they’re doing."
Thankfully, Fernandes actually let his football do the talking against Forest and as a result Keane was left with little choice but to praise the Portugal international.
"Brilliant, I really think he’s a brilliant player," the ex-United ace declared.
"He’ll be disappointed he didn’t obviously score, but his quality of his balls into the box – if you’re a striker it’s a dream, you make some runs and he picks you out.
"Plenty of time today, he’s got a good relationship obviously with [Christian] Eriksen and all the guys around him. I just think he’s pure quality."
A far cry from the kind of review Keane dished out just over 4 weeks prior, but not even the famously moody United legend could deny the quality of Fernandes' peformance on Sunday afternoon.
