- Erik ten Hag was fired on Monday after Manchester United’s poor start to the season
- Captain Bruno Fernandes says he feels responsible and has spoken to the Dutchman
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Bruno Fernandes revealed he called Erik ten Hag to apologize for letting him down as Roy Keane accused him of failing as Manchester United captain.
After scoring his first Premier League goal of the season in United’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Old Trafford on Sunday, Fernandes admitted he called Ten Hag to say sorry after his dismissal on Monday.
“We know Erik is gone,” Fernandes said. ‘It’s not good for anyone at the club if the manager leaves. The team isn’t the best, the results aren’t the best and he’s the one paying for it.
‘Every time you see a manager leave you have to take some of the blame. That’s because the team isn’t doing so well.
‘It’s easier to get rid of a manager than fifteen players. I spoke to the manager and apologized. I was disappointed that he was gone and I tried to help him. I didn’t score any goals, we didn’t score and I feel responsible. Normally I score a lot of goals, but I always gave 100 percent. He is aware of that.’
Bruno Fernandes revealed that he called Erik ten Hag to apologize for letting him down
Ten Hag (right) was fired on Monday after Man United’s poor start to the season
Former United captain Keane responded with a scathing strike on Fernandes. “Too little, too late,” he told Sky Sports.
‘These are always difficult interviews for players. I don’t think Bruno showed leadership. I don’t think he did enough as United captain. I don’t think he should be too proud of himself.
‘The players have let the manager down. “I’ve played under some great managers and when a player says, ‘I feel sorry for the manager’, it’s hard to listen to.”
Keane took aim at the rest of the United players for letting Ten Hag down after he was replaced by Ruben Amorim: ‘It’s not even about appreciating the manager. Your own DNA should suggest that you are a good team player. You roll up your sleeves, you dig in. This United team isn’t doing it.
‘We can’t go back to the United of the 80s, when they were a cup team. When you look your teammates in the eye and show them what you stand for, you dig deep. I wouldn’t want to be in the trenches with those players.
‘My eyes don’t lie to me. It’s not about liking managers. In my opinion, many of them do not have the DNA of a Man United player.
Roy Keane responded with a scathing attack on Fernandes, insisting it is ‘too little too late’
‘This United team is almost boring. So flat. From a manager’s perspective, this team is still a long way from returning to the top four. He (Amorim) should have signed a longer contract.”
Meanwhile, Fernandes welcomed the appointment of the coach of his former club Sporting.
“I’m a big Sporting fan and watch their games a lot,” he added. ‘Ruben Amorim brought the tension back to the club. It was a bit divisive when he came, but he transformed everything and brought everyone together.”