Bruno Fernandes revealed he rang up Erik ten Hag to apologise for his poor performances after the Dutchman was sacked as Manchester United manager.
A 2-1 defeat to West Ham last weekend finally saw the end of Ten Hag who was sacked on Monday with his side languishing in 12th in the Premier League.
The Red Devils were swift to announce Ruben Amorim as the full-time replacement, although Ruud van Nistelrooy will remain in the dugout until the Portuguese coach arrives on November 11.
In their first league match since Ten Hag’s departure, Fernandes was back on the scoresheet but saw his penalty cancelled out by Moises Caicedo’s volley as both sides were forced to settle for a point at Old Trafford.
However, the United captain was left reflecting on his former boss at full-time and admitted that he had been below his usual levels of performances prior to the Dutchman’s sacking.
‘We know that Erik [ten Hag] has gone, it is not good for anyone at the club when the manager goes,’ he told Sky Sports. ‘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.
‘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.’
Former United captain Roy Keane, meanwhile, felt that the Portuguese midfielder’s words rang hollow and insisted the 30-year-old had shown a lack of leadership during Ten Hag’s final months.
‘Too little, too late,’ Keane said on Sky Sports when asked about Fernandes’ comments. ‘You are judged for what you have done on a football pitch.
‘I don’t think Bruno did enough in a lot of those games, he didn’t show that leadership, but you also have to move on.
‘A lot of players don’t care that much, they just focus on the next manager. I don’t think Bruno has done enough as captain over the last year or so to help the manager out.
‘He has not shown enough leadership skills when the going has got tough with some of his performances. I don’t think he should be too proud of himself with what’s happened with the manager – I think the players let the manager down ultimately.’
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