Bruno Fernandes Reflects on Ten Hag’s Departure, Apologizes for United’s Struggles. Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes recently shared that he spoke with former manager Erik ten Hag following the Dutchman’s departure, apologizing for not doing more to prevent his exit. Ten Hag’s dismissal came after a 2-1 loss to West Ham, leaving United in 14th place, and Fernandes took part of the responsibility.
Predictions of a Change
Fernandes revealed in an interview that he had discussed with friends the probable chain of events that would lead to Ten Hag’s departure. Reflecting on this, he mentioned, “I knew everything would come back to us, and people would say we wanted the manager to be sacked.”
Roy Keane’s Perspective
Former United captain Roy Keane reacted sharply to Fernandes’ remarks, expressing skepticism about the players’ loyalty. Speaking on Sky Sports, Keane commented, “If you want loyalty, get yourself a dog.” He added that Fernandes’ comments lacked real leadership and that some players seemed unbothered by the team’s struggles, focusing instead on the prospect of a new manager.
United’s Missed Chances
Ten Hag frequently pointed out United’s inability to convert chances into goals. Against Chelsea, this trend continued, with players like Alejandro Garnacho, Marcus Rashford, and Joshua Zirkzee missing key opportunities. Interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy, who once scored 150 goals in five seasons for United, remains hopeful, stating, “We created a lot of chances. Once results come, the goals will follow.”
Interim Coach and Future Leadership
Van Nistelrooy, temporarily filling in as manager, has yet to speak with incoming manager Ruben Amorim, who is expected to assume leadership after upcoming matches against PAOK and Leicester.
Connection to Amorim and Sporting Influence
As a former Sporting Lisbon player, Fernandes observed Amorim’s transformative impact on his former club, stating, “Amorim brought excitement back to Sporting, uniting the club.”
Fernandes on the Players’ Accountability
As captain, Fernandes noted that United’s struggles were felt by everyone and called for players to take responsibility. Although he missed scoring opportunities earlier in the season, he recently converted a penalty to open his scoring account, acknowledging, “It’s painful when the manager leaves. I feel responsible for our lack of goals, and I always give 100%.”
This period marks a time of reflection and responsibility for Fernandes and the squad as United looks to rebuild under new leadership