Bruno Fernandes Apologizes To Erik Ten Hag: Players Must Be Responsible

Bruno Fernandes feels responsible for the departure of Erik ten Hag from Manchester United (Instagram/@manchesterunited).

JAKARTA - Bruno Fernandes revealed that he called Erik ten Hag to apologize after being sacked by Manchester United on Monday, October 28, 2024.

The midfielder said he had spoken to his former boss. He acknowledged that the players must be responsible for Ten Hag's departure.

"Every time you see a manager leave, you have to blame yourself. That's because the team didn't play well."

"It's easier to get rid of a manager than 15 players. I spoke to the manager (Ten Hag) and apologized to him."

"I was disappointed he left and tried to help him. I didn't score, we didn't score. I feel responsible."

"It's not good for anyone at the club when the manager leaves. The team is not the best, the result is also not the best, but it is he who has to pay for it," Fernandes told Sky Sports.

After Ten Hag left, Manchester United beat Leicester 5-2 (Carabao Cup) and drew against Chelsea 1-1 (British League) under interim coach Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Nistelrooy still has two more games before Ruben Amorim takes control of Manchester United on November 11, 2024.

Van Nistelrooy admits that it's been a tough week at the club and says the players should reflect after a bad start to the season.

"It was very difficult from last Monday to today. Six days, mixed emotions. It was very sad to see Erik leave."

"The next day you have to start focusing on preparing the players for Leicester because 75,000 people come to Old Trafford."

"The players feel they have an obligation to perform better. They reflected and their reactions at that time and today show that they think a lot of things," said Van Nistelrooy.

Van Nistelrooy's long-term future remains unclear after his ambition to bring his own coaching staff to Old Trafford.

The former Ten Hag assistant will lead the team against POAK in the Europa League on Friday, November 8, 2024, and travel to Leicester's headquarters in the Premier League on Sunday, November 10, 2024.

However, he is still waiting to find out whether to last after the international break in November 2024 or not.

"I am open to the future. We will all support him (Amorim) and help bring Manchester United to where we want it."

"I want to know him better. He has done very well in Portugal."

"He is a talented young coach and has done very well in Portugal," said Nistelrooy again.

Meanwhile, Bruno Fernandes has proven his words during the October 2024 international break.

At that time, he wanted to return from the task of the national team to contribute more to Manchester United.

Sure enough, he proved when he scored two goals against Leicester in the Carabao Cup. The goal opened the tap of his goal which had been closed since the start of the season.

The next match against Chelsea, Fernandes opened Manchester United's lead through a penalty spot before the visitors forced the draw.