'How dare these people' - Rio Ferdinand slams Roy Keane's comments on Man United captain Bruno Fernandes

Rio Ferdinand as jumped to the defence of Bruno Fernandes amid recent criticism of the Manchester United captain.

Fernandes has been under the spotlight amid an underwhelming start to the new season by United. Erik ten Hag's side kicked off their campaign with a poor performance but a win against Wolves before being beaten 2-0 at Tottenham.

After the defeat in north London, former United midfielder Roy Keane claimed Fernandes and Mason Mount looked like 'schoolboys'. Micah Richards also labelled the Portuguese midfielder 'pathetic' and suggested his attitude affected the rest of the squad.

Fernandes responded with an excellent performance during Saturday's 3-2 comeback win over Nottingham Forest, setting up Casemiro for the equaliser before arrowing a penalty past Matt Turner to seal all three points. And Ferdinand has hit back at critics of the Reds captain.

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"The biggest gainer out of all this will be Bruno Fernandes," Ferdinand told his FIVE YouTube show. "I swear to you, the flak he has been getting over the last week, I have been sitting there with my mouth wide open thinking ‘how dare these people talk like that’.

"He's been the most creative player in the league last season. He's the most creative player again at this point of the season so far.

"The first player to hit 10 goal opportunities created for his teammates out of anybody. Since he's come to the club he's outperformed every single player at the football club in terms of goals created chances, goals and assists."

The transfer window is in full swing and United have got their hands on three players well in advance of the September 1 deadline, with Rasmus Hojlund joining Mason