Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes says he has apologised to Erik ten Hag following the manager’s sacking after more than two years in charge – but club legend Roy Keane has accused the playmaker of letting the Dutchman down.
Ten Hag was dismissed on Monday, having overseen a 2-1 defeat at West Ham a day earlier to continue a dismal start to the campaign that had left United 13th.
“Every week is challenging here – it doesn’t matter if you win or lose,” Fernandes told Sky Sports. “We all know Erik has gone and it’s not good for anyone at the club when a manager goes because it means that the position where the team is and results are not the best.
“The manager is the one who pays for it. Whenever you see a manager go, you always have to take a little bit of the blame. You look in the mirror first. Everyone, as individuals, has to look at themselves.
“Everyone is involved but only one pays because it’s easier to get rid of the manager than 10 or 15 players. I spoke with him and I apologised to him if there was something I could have done better for him.”
“I’m waiting for that…”
Ruud van Nistelrooy comments on his future at Manchester United after the appointment of Rúben Amorim and says he’s still waiting for an answer from the club. pic.twitter.com/hRDD7iunwM
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 3, 2024
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Bruno Fernandes ‘didn’t do enough’
Ex-United skipper Roy Keane called Fernandes’ comments “too little, too late”. “These are always awkward interviews for a player but I wouldn’t have too much time and patience for a player to say ‘sorry, we let you down’,” the seven-time Premier League winner with United scorned.
“You’re judged by what you do on the pitch and I don’t think Bruno did enough in a lot of the games. He didn’t show that leadership, so it will be interesting to see what Ten Hag has to say about it.
“A lot of players don’t care that much when a manager goes, they just focus on the next manager. I don’t think Bruno did enough as a captain, over the last year or two, to help the manager out – far from it.
“The proof’s there with the results. It’s not just down to Bruno but I don’t think he’s shown enough leadership skills when the going’s got tough with some of the performances.
“I don’t think Bruno should be too proud of himself with what’s happened over the last week or two with Ten Hag. The players have let the manager down.”
“I wouldn’t want to be in the trenches with those players”
Roy Keane vents on the lack of togetherness within the Manchester United squad. pic.twitter.com/uPU7744zaX
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 3, 2024
Bruno Fernandes stats
Fernandes averaged more than a goal every other game during his first season-and-a-half after joining United in January 2020, playing under iconic striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Those figures dropped significantly during the subsequent three seasons, coinciding with Solskjaer’s sacking in November 2021, initially being replaced by Ralf Rangnick on a temporary basis before Ten Hag took over from the 2022-23 campaign.
He still averages a goal every three games and assist every four in the Premier League overall, but his penalty in United’s 1-1 home draw against Chelsea on Sunday was the Portugal international’s first in 12 games in the top flight and Europa League in 2024-25.
“If you look at that squad today I’m not sure there’s too many in a few years in that starting 11”
Jamie Redknapp says there has to be a quick turnover of players at Man United 🔁 pic.twitter.com/Sk8g5zzdtL
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 3, 2024
Man United goals: ‘Not scoring many’
Fernandes, who has contributed two assists across those contests, said he “always gave 100% to help” Ten Hag. “For me, the main thing is that he’s aware of that and it’s something I can keep in mind,” he added.
“I feel really disappointed that he’s gone but… I give everything and try to help in any way possible. I wasn’t scoring goals and that’s a big thing me for me and the team.
“We’re not scoring many and I feel a big responsibility for that because I usually give a lot of goals and assists.”
Only fourth-bottom Crystal Palace and second-bottom Southampton have scored fewer Premier League goals than the nine netted by United during their first 10 matches.
Ruud van Nistelrooy – a former Golden Boot winner at United – has two more games in interim charge until Sporting boss Ruben Amorim becomes their new permanent manager on November 11.
