Bruno Fernandes feels 'responsible' for Erik ten Hag sacking as Man Utd captain admits he 'apologised' to Dutch coach
Ten Hag was relieved of his duties at Old Trafford earlier this week, with United skipper Fernandes thanking the 54-year-old for what he did for the club. After the 30-year-old scored in his team's 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Sunday, in his first Premier League goal of the season, the attacking midfielder admitted he bore some of the blame for Ten Hag's sacking.
He said on Sky Sports: "We know that Erik [ten Hag] has gone, 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 [Ten Hag] 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%. He is aware of that."
Less than a week after Ten Hag was shown the door, Sporting CP boss Ruben Amorim was confirmed as his successor. The 39-year-old has a huge job on his hands, with United currently 13th in the Premier League table and seemingly in a state of disarray.
Before Amorim is in the dugout for United's trip to Ipswich Town on November 24, interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy will be in charge for the games against PAOK in the Europa League on Thursday and then at home to Leicester City next Sunday in the Premier League.