Roy Keane admits Manchester United star caught him out with “brilliant” display vs Arsenal

Roy Keane has admitted that one Manchester United player caught him out with a “brilliant” moment during Rúben Amorim’s 1-1 draw against Arsenal.

Manchester United and Arsenal played out a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford on Sunday, with Bruno Fernandes’ first-half free-kick cancelled out by a long-range strike from Declan Rice.

Arsenal controlled possession in the early stages, but despite their dominance, they struggled to create clear chances. United, however, made the breakthrough just before half-time when Fernandes bent a superb free-kick beyond David Raya.

At the start of the second half, United were forced into a change as Leny Yoro was replaced by Ayden Heaven due to injury. The hosts then had a big chance to double their lead, but Noussair Mazraoui was denied at close range by a fantastic Raya save.

Joshua Zirkzee also came close soon after, only for Raya to deny him as well. Arsenal eventually found their equaliser when Rice unleashed a powerful effort that flew past André Onana. With 15 minutes remaining, Rúben Amorim introduced Rasmus Højlund and Toby Collyer in search of a winner.

United nearly snatched victory deep into stoppage time, but Fernandes’ late effort was kept out by Raya, who produced a brilliant double save to ensure both sides left with a point.

Keane admits one United player caught him out

A few weeks ago, former United midfielder Roy Keane caused a stir online after he claimed Fernandes was not fit to captain Manchester United as although he is a player with quality, he doesn’t act like a real captain.

In the following weeks, Fernandes had created almost every single one of the club’s goals, and he was on the scoresheet once again with his free-kick just before half time.

Speaking ahead of the second half, Keane admitted that he understands Fernandes’s quality, and that his free-kick effort caught him and the rest of the studio out.

“Captain Fantastic, yeah,” Keane said, no doubt with his tongue ever so slightly in his cheek. “I’ve never been doubted about his quality. But as we go back to it, I think he can do a lot more for the team.”

He continued as footage of Fernandes’ free kick was playing, saying: “Poor from United, poor from Arsenal. But this quality, we know he’s got it in him. An amazing strike. We’d obviously question the goalkeeper, the wall, etc. But what a strike.

Further, Keane was asked if the key to the free-kick was the power Fernandes generated, to which he pointed to the power and admitted the effort was a “brilliant” from the Portuguese international.

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“Yeah, you’d think so, yeah,” he replied. “But the power he gets on it to get over the big wall, I think that’s the bit that caught us all out. And I think it’s got the goalkeeper out.

“Because the power behind the shot, usually when you’re trying to get over a big wall, you obviously have to get a bit of height in it. But to still have that power behind it, I think was brilliant.”

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