Arsenal legend Ian Wright and Roy Keane in heated clash over Man Utd star Bruno Fernandes

Arsenal legend Ian Wright and Roy Keane have locked horns in a fiery exchange over Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes and his role at the club.

Since his arrival at Old Trafford in 2020, Fernandes has been pivotal for United, earning the captain's armband from Erik ten Hag last season. Despite his influence, he's faced criticism for his on-pitch demeanour, sparking a debate between Wright and Keane about his leadership qualities, reports the Mirror.

On the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet, Wright defended Fernandes, saying: "I think Bruno is a winner. He's frustrated. Whatever we say, he has his faults where he waves his arms up but he's the kind of player that is trying (to change things)."

Ex-United skipper Keane sharply countered with a reference to Fernandes' trophy cabinet: "He's won nothing in his career, he's 29 years of age. What has he won in his career?" Former Gunners striker Wright conceded the point but argued for Fernandes' high standards: "(I appreciate) he's won nothing. But, irrespective of wanting to be a winner, his standards are high.

"If you take Bruno out of Man United we're talking about players who haven't improved. If he's not doing what he's doing United are nowhere near where they are. He's frustrated, he probably sees it in training every day, people not up to the standards of what he's looking for and it spills over into a Saturday."

"Because he (still) brings 'it' when we say about his histrionics, he brings it. If Man United are saved in a game it's probably him who's going to do it. He's got every right to be upset with them because they should be doing better.

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However, Keane then questioned whether Fernandes actually helps improve his teammates, insisting he needs to try and "drag the others along" with him. "I think he is a talented boy," Keane explained.

"But does he help people out and does he make others around him better? The answer is 100 per cent no. He does like to dig them out, which is fine, but you've also got to drag the others along.

"Would you like to be in that United dressing room today with these guys going... 'not sure about him, I think he's OK when we're winning but we're not going to be winning every time'. How do you stop that momentum and flex your muscles in games?

"That's what I want. We talk about talented players but sometimes it's about personalities in big games and getting you over the line in big games."