Bruno Fernandes on apologising to Erik ten Hag after the Dutchman was sacked last Monday from his position as manager.
Bruno Fernandes reveals he apologised to Erik ten Hag for any part he may have played in the Dutchman’s sacking.
Speaking on Sunday after Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Old Trafford, the club captain said: “It is easier to get rid of a manager than 15 players. We spoke to the manager 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.”
In the 70th minute of United’s match against Chelsea, Fernandes opened the scoring with a penalty kick, and four minutes later, Moisés Caicedo equalised with a volley. Fernandes scored his first league goal of the season with a penalty kick in United’s first league match since Ten Hag was sent off.
“We know that Erik has gone, it is not good for anyone at the club when the manager goes,” Fernandes said. “The team is not the best, the results are not the best and he is the one who pays for it. 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.”
Ruud van Nistelrooy, Ten Hag’s replacement as interim manager, was asked about Fernandes’s apology. “It has been very difficult from last Monday to today: six days, a rollercoaster of emotions,” he said.
“I was very sad seeing Erik leave. The next day you have to focus on getting the lads ready for Leicester [in the Carabao Cup last Wednesday]. Because 75,000 people show up here at Old Trafford and the players feel they have an obligation to do better. They look in the mirror and their reactions then and today show they think about things.”
Lisandro Martínez caught Cole Palmer’s knee with a high foot in the 93rd minute of Sunday’s draw. The Chelsea playmaker needed to apply ice to his injury in the locker room after the game. The defender was given a yellow card by Rob Jones, and the video assistant referee upheld the original ruling. Enzo Maresca, the head coach of Chelsea, asked the official to clarify his decision at the final whistle.
“No,” Maresca said. “They didn’t say anything. When there is no intention to go for the ball, and go for leg it is clear it is red. He [Palmer] was in the changing room with ice so we are waiting now, hopefully it is nothing important. It is quite clear almost for all of us but the referee took a different decision. When there is not intention to go for the ball and you just go for the player, it is red.”