- Erik ten Hag was sacked on Monday following Man United’s poor start to season
- Captain Bruno Fernandes says he feels responsible and spoke to the Dutchman
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off!, available wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes every Monday and Thursday
Bruno Fernandes revealed that he phoned Erik ten Hag to apologise 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 that he called Ten Hag to say sorry in the wake of his sacking on Monday.
‘We know that Erik has gone,’ said Fernandes. ‘It is not good for anyone at the club when the manager goes. 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.
‘It is easier to get rid of a manager than 15 players. I 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. I normally score a lot of goals, but I always gave 100 per cent. He is aware of that.’
Former United captain Keane responded with a scathing attack on Fernandes. ‘Too little too late,’ he told Sky Sports.
‘These are always awkward interviews for players. I don’t think Bruno showed leadership. I don’t think he did enough as captain of United. 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 this idea when a player says, “I feel sorry for the manager”, that’s hard to listen to.’
Taking aim at the rest of the United players for letting Ten Hag down after he was replaced by Ruben Amorim, Keane added: ‘It’s not even about liking about the manager. Your own DNA should suggest that you’re a good team player. You roll your sleeves up, you dig in. This United team doesn’t do it.
‘We can’t go back to the United of the ’80s when they’re a cup team. When you look your team-mates in their eye, show what you’re about, 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. A lot of them haven’t got the DNA of a Man United player in my eyes.
‘This United team is almost boring. So flat. From the manager’s point of view, this team is way off getting back into the top-four. He (Amorim) should have signed a longer contract.’
Meanwhile, Fernandes welcomed the appointment of the coach of his old club Sporting.
‘I’m a big fan of Sporting and watch a lot of their games,’ he added. ‘Ruben Amorim brought the excitement back to the club. It was a little bit split when he came but he transformed everything and brought everyone together.’
