TL;DR
- Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes apologized to sacked manager Erik ten Hag, taking responsibility for the team’s poor performance and lack of goals.
- Ten Hag was dismissed after a 2-1 defeat to West Ham left United in 14th place, with the team now sitting 13th following a 1-1 draw with Chelsea.
- Former United captain Roy Keane criticized Fernandes’ apology as “too little, too late,” questioning the leadership and commitment of the current players.
- Interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy remains optimistic despite missed chances, while incoming manager Ruben Amorim is set to arrive from Sporting Lisbon during the international break.
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has expressed regret and apologized to former manager Erik ten Hag, who was dismissed on Monday following the team’s disappointing start to the season. The Red Devils currently sit 13th in the Premier League table after a 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Ten Hag, who had been in charge of United since 2022, was sacked after a 2-1 defeat to West Ham left the club languishing in 14th place. Fernandes, who was appointed captain by Ten Hag, felt responsible for the team’s poor form and lack of goals. “It is not good for anyone at the club when the manager goes,” the Portuguese midfielder told Sky Sports. “You have to take some of the blame on yourself because it is the team that is not doing so well and it is easier to get rid of a manager than 15 players.”
Fernandes, who scored his first goal of the season from the penalty spot against Chelsea, said he spoke to Ten Hag and apologized for not doing more to prevent his sacking. “I spoke to the manager and apologised. We are not scoring goals and I feel responsible. I normally score a lot of goals but I always give 100% and he is aware of that.”
However, former United captain Roy Keane was unimpressed by Fernandes’ comments, dismissing them as “too little, too late.” Keane, speaking as a pundit on Sky Sports, said, “He has not shown enough leadership when the going has got tough. I wouldn’t want to be in the trenches with these players. A lot of them don’t care that much. They just focus on the next manager.”
Interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy, who has taken charge until incoming manager Ruben Amorim arrives from Sporting Lisbon during the international break, saw signs of optimism despite the team’s missed chances against Chelsea. “The last games we lost some points because we didn’t take our chances,” he said. “The good thing is we create a lot during the season so far. When the players get in the flow with results coming, goals will come also.”
Fernandes, a lifelong Sporting fan who left the club to join United in January 2020, praised the impact Amorim has had at his former club. “I watch a lot of Sporting games,” he added. “Ruben Amorim brought excitement back to the club. It was a little bit split when he came but he transformed everything and brought everyone together.”
As Manchester United prepares for the arrival of Ruben Amorim, the club hopes to turn around their fortunes and climb the Premier League table. The pressure will be on the players, including captain Bruno Fernandes, to deliver results and justify the decision to part ways with Erik ten Hag.
Source: bbc.com
