Roy Keane has criticised Fred and Nemanja Matic for not helping Bruno Fernandes defensively in Manchester United’s draw with Aston Villa.

Fernandes struck twice at Villa Park to give United a two-goal advantage, but late efforts from Jacob Ramsey and debutant Philippe Coutinho rescued a draw for Steven Gerrard’s side.

Ralf Rangnick has previously admitted that United’s midfield lacks balance and Keane believes Fernandes needs more support from the defensive-minded players.

Asked what he liked about Fernandes’ display against Villa, Keane told Sky Sports: ‘His two goals, I thought his composure, his decision making, I liked a lot about his game.

‘We know he’s a goal threat, he’s got plenty of assists, that’s pretty important if you’re a goalscorer, sometimes we analyse what players can’t do but he does a lot of good stuff, he does a lot more good than negative stuff.

‘I think he’ll want the team to improve and that’s where his leadership has got to come into it, but if he’s on the bus going back tonight he’ll be thinking, ‘I’ve scored two goals, that’s pretty good’.

‘In any team, when you’re playing in a team you’re working with different lads who have got different strengths and weaknesses, we know what Bruno’s are, there are parts of the game he needs to improve on.

‘But there is other lads in the team, Fred and Matic, to do that [defensive] side of the game but they didn’t do it well enough.

‘So I’d be more critical of the other midfielders than Bruno. If he’s so good going forward he’s thinking, ‘lads, I’m doing the business going forward’ but he needs the other lads who are defensively better to do their jobs.

‘The two lads in midfield didn’t do that well enough when they were under the crunch when there was lots of pressure in the last 20 minutes. That’s when you’ve got to do it for Man United.’

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Source: Metro Sport