Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes says he has apologised to sacked manager Erik ten Hag – something former captain Roy Keane dismissed as being “too little, too late”.
A poor start to the Dutchman’s third season in charge led the Old Trafford hierarchy to unanimously decide to end his 29-month reign on Monday.
Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim has been named successor and will start a week on Monday, with interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy overseeing Sunday’s 1-1 Premier League draw with Chelsea.
Moises Caicedo’s volley cancelled out a penalty from Fernandes in the first Premier League match since the sacking of Ten Hag – something his skipper apologised for his role in.
“We all know that when the manager leaves everyone is involved,” Fernandes told Sky Sports. “But only one pays because it’s easier to get rid of a manager than 10 or 15 players.
“I spoke with the manager and I apologised to him if there was something I could’ve done better for him, that I feel really disappointed that he’s gone.
“But what remains with me was he feels I always gave everything and try to help in any way possible.
“Obviously I wasn’t scoring goals and that’s a big thing for me and for the team.
“We’re not scoring many goals and I feel also a big responsibility on that because I’m normally a player that scores a lot of goals, gives a lot of assists and it was not coming.
“I feel disappointed on that but I always gave my 100 per cent to help him and the main thing is that he is aware of that and is something that at least I can keep in my head.”
Former United captain Keane, speaking in his role as a Sky Sports pundit, gave short shrift to Fernandes’ comments.
“Too little, too late,” he said. “Listen, these are always awkward interviews but I wouldn’t have much time and patience for a player to say ‘listen, sorry we’ve let you down’. Too little, too late.
“You’re judged by what you do on the football pitch and I don’t think Bruno done enough in a lot of the games where he didn’t show that leadership.
“So, it’ll be interesting to obviously hear what Ten Hag has to say about it but you also have to move on.
“Listen, a lot of players don’t care that much when a manager goes.
“They just focus on the next manager coming in, they get ready and they look after themselves. Of course, that’s as part of the game. Players can be selfish, we know that.
“But I don’t think Bruno done enough as a captain of Man United over last year to help the manager out. Far from it. The proof’s there with all the results.
“Not just on to Bruno, of course, but I don’t think he showed enough leadership skills when the going got tough with some of the performances.
“I don’t think Bruno should be too proud of himself of what’s happened to the Man United manager over the last week or two with Ten Hag. I think the players let the manager down ultimately.”
