Bruno Fernandes has taken some of the responsibility for the sacking of Erik ten Hag as Manchester United manager.
The Dutchman was fired last Monday after over two years in charge following a poor start to the season which left the club 14th in the English Premier League, with only three victories in nine games.
Speaking on Sunday after Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Old Trafford, Fernandes, appointed captain by Ten Hag, said: “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.”
The Portugal midfielder scored United’s opener from the penalty spot against Chelsea in the 70th minute, before Moisés Caicedo volley equalised four minutes later in the Red Devils’ first league game since Ten Hag’s removal.
It was Fernandes’ first league goal of the season.
“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 start 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.”
