It’s now been one week since Manchester United parted ways with Erik ten Hag, drawing the curtains on his two-and-a-half-year tenure at Old Trafford.
It was undoubtedly the correct decision from INEOS chiefs, even if it did come five months later than it should’ve.
Relieving him of his duties after the FA Cup final would’ve not only allowed him the chance to go out on a high but also given Ruben Amorim, assuming he’d still be the first-choice candidate, the opportunity to take charge of a full season and implement his play style from the get-go.
Instead, he will take the reins of a United side in disarray, with Ruud van Nistelrooy’s best efforts proving unable to get the club out of the bottom half of the Premier League table after matchweek 10. There’s also considerable work to be done in Europe, given that United are winless in their opening three Europa League matches and sit 21st in the new-look standings.
Fernandes takes some accountability for Ten Hag’s sacking
Last night’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea saw Bruno Fernandes open his account for 2024/2025 in the league with a 70th-minute spot-kick conversion to break the deadlock. It was, however, rendered in vain only four minutes later when Moises Caicedo equalised at the other end, with both sides ultimately forced to settle for a point apiece.
Post-match, the midfielder addressed the recent departure of Ten Hag, who made him captain in the summer of 2023, and admitted that he felt somewhat responsible for his dismissal.
“It is not good for anyone at the club when the manager goes,” Fernandes told Sky Sports. “You have to take some of the blame on yourself because it is the team that is not doing so well, and it is easier to get rid of a manager than 15 players.
“I spoke to the manager and apologised. We are not scoring goals, and I feel responsible. I normally score a lot of goals, but I always give 100%, and he is aware of that.”
