Sport

Bruno Fernandes reveals he apologised to Erik ten Hag after Man United sacking

He says the players have to shoulder the responsibility.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 4th November 2024

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has revealed he personally apologised to Erik ten Hag after he was sacked by the club last week following a poor run of results.

The Man United midfielder was made club captain by ten Hag back in July 2023 and was one of the most trusted players throughout his two-and-a-half-year tenure at Old Trafford, barely missing a minute of football besides through a red card suspension.

Fernandes is also one of the most senior figures in the dressing room, not only down to his age but because he has now spent nearly half a decade at United, and so the ‘Portuguese Magnifico’ was seemingly one of the first to hold his hands up after the Dutchman was relieved of his duties.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the 1-1 draw against Chelsea on Sunday, in which club legend turned interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy took charge for his second game, Bruno also reflected on the season so far and how he “feels responsible” for how things ended with ten Hag.

The 30-year-old was the scorer of the Reds’ only goal on the night after Rasmus Højlund earned them a penalty and scored two in the cup tie against Leicester but was visibly disappointed with the level of performance following the result and after missing a crucial chance which could have won the game.

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“Obviously, it’s a different week because Erik [ten Hag] is gone and it’s not good for anyone at the club when a manager goes because it means the positions and where the team is not the best; the results are not the best and manager is the one that pays”, said Fernandes.

“Whenever you see a manager go you have to take a little bit of the blame on yourself because you need to look at the mirror first […] everyone as an individual has to look at themselves first. […] I spoke to the manager and apologised […] I’m really disappointed that he is gone but what remains with me is to give everything and try to help in any way possible…”

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“We are not scoring goals and I feel a lot of [responsibility] because I normally give a lot of goals and assists and it was not coming so I feel disappointed, but I always give 100% and he is aware of that.”

Regardless of his lengthy answer, whether or not Bruno said sorry to ten Hag is not enough for some, as the ever-harsh critic and former midfielder stalwart himself Roy Keane summed up his response by simply adding, “Too little, too late.”

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Whether or not Bruno having apologised to ten Hag is enough to keep other pundits, fans and the new manager on-side during a crucial few weeks where the club is set for another significant period of change, only time will tell.

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With fellow compatriot Rúben Amorim – who led Bruno’s former club Sporting CP to their first league title in 19 years, not to mention a second championship last season and a first-place spot so far this campaign – now confirmed as the new head coach, the United number eight will be looking to recover the output fans have seen from him in previous years.

Set to start the job on Monday, 11 November, van Nistelrooy will remain as interim manager for the next two games: the Europa League match against PAOK and another home fixture against Leicester after having beaten them 5-2 in the EFL Cup during his first game in charge.

As for Amorim, he revealed that he wanted to see out the rest of 2024/25 with Sporting before taking the United job but that INEOS wanted him to start ASAP, describing the offer as a “now or never” opportunity. You can watch the highlights from the first Premier League match under Ruud down below:

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Featured Images — Sky Sports (screenshots via YouTube)

Sport

Tragedy as two superbike riders die in ‘catastrophic accident’ at Cheshire event

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Tragedy as two riders die in 'catastrophic accident' at Cheshire superbike event

Two riders have tragically died in a ‘chain reaction’ accident at a superbike race in Cheshire.

Owen Jenner, 21, and Shane Richardson, 29, both died of their injuries following a crash involving 11 riders.

The ‘catastrophic accident’ occurred yesterday at the Quattro Group British Supersport Championship superbike race at Oulton Park in Cheshire.

The race was immediately stopped so that trackside medical services could attend to the 11 riders who had fallen.

Due to the ‘extreme severity’ of the incident, the rest of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship event was cancelled.

Two riders lost their lives and another has sustained significant injuries and remains in hospital.

Owen Jenner, 21 years old, was treated trackside and taken to the circuit medical centre , but died from a catastrophic head injury.

Meanwhile Shane Richardson was taken to Royal Stoke University Hospital with severe chest injuries, but died prior to arrival.

Another rider, 47-year-old Tom Tunstall, has also been transferred to hospital with significant back and abdominal injuries.

Five further riders were transferred to the circuit medical centre with minor injuries – the remaining involved riders were uninjured.

The Motorcycle Circuit Racing Control Board and MotorSport Vision Racing are investigating the full circumstances of the incident in conjunction with the Coroner and Cheshire Constabulary.

Cheshire Police said in a statement: “Police are investigating two deaths on behalf of the coroner following a multiple collision at Oulton Park this afternoon (Monday 5 May).

“Emergency services were called to the scene following the collision which resulted in two riders being fatally injured and another with serious injuries.

“Due to the severity of the incident and ongoing medical intervention, the remainder of the event was cancelled.

“The two riders who sadly died have been named as Owen Jenner (21) and Shane Richardson (29).”

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Featured image: British Superbikes

Sport

Ole Gunnar Solskjær says just three players have spoken to him since leaving Manchester United

Danny Jones Danny Jones Ole Gunnar Solskjaer only 3 Man United players have spoke to him since leaving

Club legend and ex-Manchester United player turned manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, has revealed that just three of his former players have been in touch since leaving Old Trafford.

Solskjær was sacked from the role as Man United head coach back in November 2021 after having been given the job permanently following an impressive winning run as interim manager.

The practically perfect start back at the helm of the club – where he starred as the ‘super sub’ during his playing days – was followed by a big slump, and the final decision was ultimately made in the wake of a 4-1 loss to Watford.

However, the ‘Baby-Faced Assassin’s’ popularity among the players and the fans alike was never in question, so it’s come as somewhat of a surprise to many fans that Solskjær has said only a specific trio of United players have got in touch with him since his dream job came to an end.

At least two of the names read out might not surprise fans, as not only was then-club captain Harry Maguire one of his first statement signings, but so was Bruno Fernandes, who now has the armband, and both have remained key players and leadership figures pretty much ever since.

Speaking to BBC Sport on the senior duo, Ole said, “For me, Harry has always been a leader and a fighter”, and never had any doubts about him deputising for him on the pitch, before going on to label both the centre-back and Bruno as “top human beings.”

As for the third, although Victor Lindelöf looks set to leave the club this summer, he’s actually been a long-serving squad member, having joined back in 2017 and been a seemingly popular figure around the dressing room, even if injury problems have sometimes hampered his minutes.

He also went on to discuss other matters regarding the club, including confessing that it’s “hard to watch” United amidst their present struggles, both under previous manager Erik ten Hag and now Ruben Amorim – even with a potential Europa League trophy consolation on the cards.

The retired striker also stated that he found the decision to let midfielder Scott McTominay go more than surprising, especially given the incredible performances he’s put on display since moving to Serie A.

Now the boss at Besiktas, the 52-year-old has won 50% of his games so far, with the Turkish side on course for a third-place finish.

For context, he only took the job back in January.

What did you make of Ole’s revelations then, Reds? And, more importantly, how do you look back on his time in charge at the Theatre of Dreams?

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Featured Images — soccer.ru (via Wikimedia Commons)/BBC Sport

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