‘I Feel Responsible!’: Bruno Fernandes Speaks Out on Erik Ten Hag's SACKING at Manchester United

Manchester United has had a difficult start to the season, with the 20-time English champions currently sitting 14th in the Premier League table, and the club's new leadership is dissatisfied with the pace of change under Erik ten Hag. Amid the team's struggles, the Dutchman was fired on Monday, October 28, 2024.  This comes after Erik Ten Hag’s complete failure in the Premier League despite having all the reported resources provided by the club for a uniform stint. Rubin Amorem is said to be the new head coach of the struggling club. 

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Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes apologised to Erik Ten Hag after he was fired as the head coach 

Bruno Fernandes, Manchester United's captain, reportedly said he contacted former boss Erik ten Hag to apologise after the Dutchman was let off the team. Ten Hag was removed from his responsibilities as United’s head coach after Manchester United's 2-1 Premier League loss to West Ham on October 27, 2024. Ruud van Nistelrooy replaced him as temporary manager upon his leaving.

Van Nistelrooy has only managed two games so far; his first was a dominant 5-2 EFL Cup triumph over Leicester City. On November 3, the squad drew one goal each against Chelsea at Old Trafford in his second game.

Following the game, Fernandes—who scored United's lone goal—thought back on Ten Hag's leaving in an interview with Sky Sports (as Metro reported). Bruno Fernandes on Erik Ten Hag: 

“I spoke to the manager [Ten Hag] and apologised to him if there was something I could have done better for 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 because I normally score a lot of goals but I always gave 100% to help. The main thing is that he is aware of that."

"We know that Erik [ten Hag] has gone, it is not good for anyone at the club when the manager goes. It means 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 and look in the mirror first because it is because the team is not doing so well. We all know that when the manager leaves everyone is involved but only one pays because It is easier to get rid of a manager than 15 players."

With only nine times scored the back of the goal in 10 games, Manchester United now ranks among the lowest-scoring teams in the Premier League owing to Erik Ten Hag. During this span, only struggling clubs like Crystal Palace with eight goals and Southampton with seven had fewer goals.

Bruno Fernandes has also struggled with scoring. In 15 outings across all competitions, he has scored three goals and given five assists. All three of his goals were noted after Erik ten Hag's departure; he scored two goals in a game against Leicester and added a penalty against Chelsea.