- Erik ten Hag was sacked on Monday after Man United’s poor start to the season
- Captain Bruno Fernandes says he feels responsible and spoke with 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 apologize following his sacking on Monday.
“We know Erik is gone,” Fernandes said. “It is not good for anyone in the club that the coach leaves. The team is not the best, the results are not the best and he is the one who pays for it.
“Every time you see a coach leave, you have to take part of the blame. It’s because the team isn’t doing so well.
“It’s easier to get rid of a coach than 15 players. I spoke to the manager and apologized to him. I was disappointed that he had left and I tried to help him. I didn’t score goals, we didn’t score goals and I feel responsible. I usually score a lot goals, but I always gave 100 percent. He is aware of that.’
Bruno Fernandes revealed that he called Erik ten Hag to apologize for disappointing him
Ten Hag (right) was sacked on Monday following Man United’s poor start to the season
Former United captain Keane responded with a scathing attack on Fernandes. “Too little, too late,” he told Sky Sports.
“They are always uncomfortable interviews for the players. I don’t think Bruno has shown leadership. I don’t think he’s done enough as United captain. I don’t think he should be too proud of himself.
‘The players have let the coach down. I’ve played with some great coaches and that idea, when a player says, ‘I’m sorry for the coach,’ is hard to hear.’
Taking aim at the rest of the United players for letting down Ten Hag after he was replaced by Ruben Amorim, Keane added: “It’s not even about liking the manager. Your own DNA should suggest you’re a good team player. You roll up your sleeves and try hard. This United team doesn’t do that.
“We can’t go back to the United of the 80s when they were a cup team. When you look your teammates in the eyes, you show what you do, you go deeper. 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 don’t 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 the coach’s point of view, this team is a long way from being in the top four again. “He (Amorim) should have signed a longer contract.”
Meanwhile, Fernández celebrated the appointment of the coach of his former club, Sporting.
“I’m a big Sporting fan and I watch a lot of their games,” he added. ‘Rubén Amorim brought excitement back to the club. “It was a little divided when he arrived, but he transformed everything and brought everyone together.”
