Manchester United made their first Premier League appearance of the post Ten-Hag era on Sunday evening when they took on Chelsea in a 1-1 draw.
While an excited Old Trafford might have been expecting Manchester United to react to interim manager Ruud Van Nistelroy's stewardship with an instant upturn in fortunes, the reality was far from that as both sides played out a frankly dull draw.
After seventy minutes of measured shadow boxing, a Bruno Fernandes penalty took the fixture alive slotting the home side ahead with twenty minutes to play.
However, Chelsea wasted no time returning the favour with Moises Caicedo levelling the affair just four minutes later. While they traded chances that gave both sides chances to win in the final ten minutes, ultimately a split of the spoils was a fair result for an underwhelming encounter.
After being left disappointed by his side's performance, captain and penalty scorer Bruno Fernandes revealed that he'd contacted sacked manager Erik Ten Hag during the week to offer his apologies for what had gone wrong during the Dutch man's tenure.
Whenever a manager goes you always have to take a little bit of the blame on yourself, you need to look in the mirror first because if he goes it's because the team is not doing so well.
I spoke with the manager after all the things, I spoke with him and I apologised to him for if there was something I could've done better for him. I feel really disappointed that he's gone.
"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— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 3, 2024
READ ALSO: Ireland's Other Standout Back-Up Keeper Denies Haaland With Wonder Save
READ ALSO: Report: Liverpool Set To Price Celtic Out Of Move For Caoimhín Kelleher
Roy Keane unconvinced by Bruno Fernandes Apology
However, speaking on Super Sunday after the game, one of Bruno's most successful predecessors Roy Keane was left thoroughly unconvinced by his apology.
Keane reflecting on his own time in management revealed that he'd 'swift words' for the players who tried to apologise to him, before branding the Portuguese star's apology as 'too little, too late'.
Too little, Too late.
I wouldn't have much time or patience for that, for a player to say listen I'm sorry I let you down - too little, too late.
You're judged by what you do out on the football pitch and I don't think Bruno done enough in a lot of the games, he didn't show that leadership.
Not mincing his words, Keane went on to slam Bruno's attitude over the last number of weeks as Erik Ten Hag came under pressure, claiming he has little reason to be proud of himself.
You also have to move on, a lot of players don't care that much when a manager goes, they just focus on the next manager.
But I don't think Bruno done enough as the captain of Manchester United over the last year or two to help the manager out, far from it, the proofs there with all the results...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 (over) what's happened to the Man United manager over the last week or two with Ten Hag, I think the players have let the manager down.
"I wouldn't have much time or patience for that, for a player to say sorry we let you down...too little, too late"
Roy Keane on Bruno Fernandes' post-match comments on Erik ten Hag. pic.twitter.com/GiFlswhDkw— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 3, 2024
As Keane said himself, it's onto the next manager for the Manchester United players who'll join up with Rúben Amorim later this month.
Whether Amorim will stick with the current squad or pursue a more aggressive recruitment strategy only time will tell, but Amorim will undoubtedly be hoping he can get more out of the players than Erik Ten Hag managed to during his tenure.
SEE ALSO: Brighton Manager Fabian Hurzeler's Post-Match Comments Don't Bode Well For Evan Ferguson
