Former Roy Keane has once again aimed a sharp dig at Bruno Fernandes, escalating the growing public feud between the two Manchester United figures after a controversial “donkey” jibe on social media.
The latest fallout began after Fernandes accused Keane of “lying” during criticism of the midfielder’s mentality and leadership. Keane had earlier claimed Fernandes was more focused on breaking the Premier League assist record than helping Manchester United win matches, branding the situation a “circus act.”
Fernandes strongly rejected those accusations during an appearance on the “Diary of a CEO” podcast, insisting Keane had twisted his words and “put words in my mouth.” The Portuguese playmaker explained that he has always accepted criticism throughout his career, but drew the line at what he described as false claims from the former United captain.
Just hours after Fernandes’ comments surfaced, Keane appeared to respond with a cryptic Instagram post showing a donkey under a spotlight alongside the message: “Too much attention makes a donkey think he’s a lion.” Many fans quickly interpreted the post as a direct swipe at the Manchester United captain.
The tension between the pair has been building for months. Keane has repeatedly questioned Fernandes’ leadership qualities, body language, and suitability as Manchester United captain, while Fernandes has continued to defend both his performances and commitment to the club. Despite the criticism, Fernandes still enjoyed a remarkable campaign, breaking the Premier League single-season assist record with 21 assists and helping United secure Champions League qualification.
Although Fernandes maintained that he still respects Keane’s legendary status at Old Trafford, the latest exchange suggests the relationship between the current United captain and one of the club’s greatest former leaders has become increasingly personal.
