Bruno Fernandes apologises to Erik ten Hag as Man Utd captain says ‘it’s easier to sack the manager than 15 players’
BRUNO FERNANDES believes Manchester United’s players must take the blame for ex-boss Erik ten Hag getting the sack.
The Red Devils captain apologised to the Dutchman in a phone call following his dismissal on Monday because he felt responsible due to his own poor form.
Fernandes, 30, who scored his first Premier League goal of the season from the penalty spot in Sunday’s 1-1 draw at home to Chelsea, reckons United’s flops — including himself — let Ten Hag down.
The Portugal midfielder said: “We know Erik has gone and it is not good for anyone when the manager goes. The team is not the best, results are not the best and he is the one who pays.
“Whenever you see a manager go, you have to take some of the blame on yourself — it is because the team is not doing so well.
“It is easier to get rid of a manager than 15 players.
“I spoke to Ten Hag and apologised to him, I was disappointed he has gone and I tried to help him.
“I wasn’t scoring goals, we are not scoring goals and I feel responsible. I normally score a lot of goals but I always gave 100 per cent. He is aware of that.”
Ironically, Fernandes has scored three goals in the two games since Ten Hag, who will be replaced by Portuguese coach Ruben Amorim from November 11, was axed.
TV pundit and United icon Roy Keane replied with a scathing attack on Fernandes and said the playmaker had failed as captain.
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The ex-Red Devils skipper, 53, fumed: “I wouldn’t have much time and patience for a player to say, ‘listen, sorry we’ve let you down’. Too little, too late.
“You’re judged by what you do on the football pitch. I don’t think Bruno’s done enough as a captain of Man United over the last year to help the manager out. Far from it.
“The proof’s there with all the results. It’s not just on Bruno, of course. I wouldn’t want to be in the trenches with these players. My eyes don’t lie to me. A lot of them don’t have the DNA of a Manchester United player.
“When the going gets tough, you roll your sleeves up. You become a team and you win an ugly game, but this United team doesn’t do it.”
United face PAOK in the Europa League on Thursday and Leicester in the Premier League next Sunday, both at Old Trafford, before Amorim takes charge in the international break.
Yet the Sporting boss will have a big task, with United currently on the club’s worst tally of points at this stage in almost 40 years after Moises Caicedo’s leveller on Sunday.
Amorim’s countryman Fernandes said: “I am a big fan of Sporting and watch a lot of their games.
“Ruben brought the excitement back to the club — it was a little bit split when he came to Sporting. He transformed everything.”
Interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy admitted it has been a tricky few days for the club but he has masterminded a Carabao Cup win and now a point against Chelsea.
The ex-United striker will focus on getting through the two games before the break before seeking talks with Amorim over the future.
RVN said: “It has been very difficult from last Monday to today, six days, a rollercoaster of emotions
“I look forward to getting to know the new manager better.”