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.
"I spoke with him and I apologised" 📞
Bruno Fernandes says he is 'disappointed' that Erik ten Hag was sacked and Manchester United players need to look in the mirror 🪞 pic.twitter.com/LitOvG6SfM
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.”
"I wouldn't have much time or patience for that, for a player to say sorry we let you down…too little, too late"
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:
Featured Images — Sky Sports (screenshots via YouTube)
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Ruben Amorim insists he ‘cannot’ quit as Manchester United manager
Danny Jones
Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has reiterated that he won’t quit his job at the club and that his departure will only come through being sacked.
The struggling head coach has notched the lowest tally of any permanent manager in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, and despite a much-needed win against Sunderland this past weekend – not to mention a much more positive performance overall – there are still growing calls of ‘Amorim Out’.
Amorim has registered just 34 points from the 33 Premier League games he’s been in charge of so far,
Nevertheless, as per quotes from The Guardian over the weekend, the Portuguese head coach assured that he will not be stepping away from the role and would have to be sacked for him to leave Man United.
Speaking to the outlet after the 2-0 home win this past Saturday, Amorim said: “No, that is a decision of the board – I cannot do that. Sometimes I have that feeling, and losing is hard, not to create the momentum.
“It’s so frustrating when you create the momentum, go to the next game, [and] something happens. That feeling sometimes hurts me a lot. Also, the players and especially the staff here. But that is not my decision, and I think it would be really hard to leave if I don’t do everything to follow my career here.”
The 40-year-old still has the support of many supporters, but it’s fair to say that many neutrals and even die-hards who would like to believe they have put their faith in this rebuild and the INEOS project up to now are growingly increasingly impatient and doubtful, with plenty of vocal detractors already.
Amorim continued, “It’s a dream to be here and I want to continue here, and I want to fight for this; but the problem is now what makes me suffer is to lose games, not to lose my job.”
He also added the caveat that, unlike those who were unfortunately laid off during the two rounds of redundancies over the past 12 months alone, “you fear [losing] your job when you have to pay the bills, and I don’t have that feeling.”
It’s also worth noting that this is by no means the first time he’s fielded questions of the matter of resignation, having previously worried fans with divisive comments about sometimes ‘hating’ his players and flitting between wanting to either quit or echo Fergie and stay at Old Trafford for decades.
"Sometimes I want to quit, sometimes I want to be here for 20 years."
Rúben Amorim defended his emotional response after Manchester United’s defeat to Grimsby Town but admitted he wants to improve how he reacts 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/nXuN0Ztoee
Despite the United administration assuring that he has their backing, every game feels like it could be make or break for Amorim at the moment.
Although he does have the respite of the October international break coming up, the first game back is against the reigning champions Liverpool away at Anfield – a team he is yet to beat.
In fact, you could also argue that this may only serve as disruption to any kind of momentum they may have generated with the victory over the Black Cats; only time will tell.
You can see his most recent post-match press conference in full down below.
Ok, Man United fans: Amorim won’t quit, but do you think he should be sacked, or does he deserve more time?
Luke Littler announces split from management ahead of 2025 World Grand Prix
Danny Jones
Darts sensation Luke Littler has announced a split from his now former management company, ZXF Sports, with the decision coming on the eve of this year’s World Grand Prix.
Warrington-born Littler has become a superstar in his own right over the past few years, following his incredible breakthrough onto the professional scene, and it appears as though the local lad is now looking to keep moving onward and, hopefully, upward.
Confirming the parting of ways with ZXF online, Littler told his followers on social media that he will now be seeking out “new representation”.
The 2025 World Grand Prix of darts got underway on Monday evening, with Luke Littler’s first match coming against Gian van Veen on Tuesday, 7 October.
Luke Littler has announced he’s parted ways with his management team, wonder if Modus will get him now? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/Le7vyowOAt
Sharing a statement this week, the 18-year-old wrote: “I want to say a massive thank you to ZXF Sports, and especially [manager] @Martin_foulds84, for everything they’ve done for me so far in my career.
“We’ve had some amazing times together over the last 5 years, and I’ll always be grateful for the advice and support that’s helped me get to this point.
“As my career moves forward and the schedule gets busier, we’ve agreed it’s the right time for me to take the next step with new representation. Martin has been brilliant for me, and I wish him and everyone at ZXF the very best. Excited for what’s ahead.”
ZXF Sports, which is run by Foulds, heads up the PR for multiple other big darts pros, such as Chris Dobey, Andy Boulton, and Stockport’s very own Nathan Apsinall.
Littler has often referred to ‘The Asp’ as his de facto older brother on the senior circuit, having been under the same representation since 2020, when ‘The Nuke’ was still moving over from the junior scene.
Safe to say their close relationship is one that fans will be hoping remains close.
At this time, it’s still unclear if the North West sports personality has a new team lined up, but you can bank on plenty of suitors having already courted him.
Many now expect his partnership with PR company, Soapbox, to potentially ramp up – or, indeed, for leading elite darts management Modus to make him a marquee signing for the brand.
Their clients include Raymond van Barneveld and regular title rival, Michael van Gerwen.
Once again, the youngster takes on the world no.15 Dutchman tonight (Tues, 7 Oct) at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester, England, with the second slate of fixtures in round one starting from 6pm.
Danny Jones -
4th November 2024 
