BRUNO FERNANDES feels Manchester United’s players must accept responsibility for former manager Erik ten Hag’s dismissal.

The Red Devils skipper apologized to the Dutchman over the phone after his dismissal on Monday, saying he felt responsible for his own bad form.

Fernandes, 30, who scored his first Premier League goal of the season from the penalty spot in Sunday’s 1-1 draw at home against Chelsea, believes United’s flops, including himself, let Ten Hag down.

The Portugal midfielder stated: “We know Erik has left, and it is not good for anyone when the manager leaves.” The team isn’t perfect, the outcomes aren’t great, and he’s the one who pays.

“When you see a manager go, you must accept some of the blame for the team’s poor performance.

“It is simpler to fire a manager than fifteen players.

“I spoke with Ten Hag and apologized to him; I was disappointed he had left, and I attempted to help him.

“I wasn’t scoring goals; we weren’t getting goals, and I felt responsible. I usually score a lot of goals, but I always give 100%. “He’s aware of that.”

Ironically, Fernandes has scored three goals in the two games since Ten Hag was fired, with Portuguese coach Ruben Amorim taking over on November 11.

Roy Keane, a TV analyst and United icon, responded with a stinging attack on Fernandes, claiming the playmaker had failed as captain.

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The ex-Red Devils captain, 53, fumed: “I wouldn’t have much time or patience for a player to say, ‘listen, we’re sorry we let you down.'” Too little, too late.

“You are judged by your performance on the football pitch. I don’t think Bruno has done enough as Manchester United’s captain in the last year to help the manager out. Far from it.

“When the going gets rough, roll up your sleeves. You form a team and win an ugly game, but the United team does not.”

United play PAOK in the Europa League on Thursday and Leicester in the Premier League next Sunday, both at Old Trafford, before Amorim takes over during the international break.

However, the Sporting manager will face a difficult assignment, since United are presently on the club’s lowest point total at this stage in nearly 40 years, following Moises Caicedo’s equalizer on Sunday.

Fernandes, Amorim’s countryman, stated: “I am a huge Sporting supporter and watch a lot of their games.

“Ruben rekindled the excitement at the club, which had been somewhat divided before his arrival. “He transformed everything.”

Interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy admits it has been a difficult few days for the club, but he has overseen a Carabao Cup victory and a point against Chelsea.

The ex-United striker will concentrate on finishing the two games before the break before speaking with Amorim about the future.

RVN stated, “It has been incredibly difficult from last Monday to today, six days, a rollercoaster of emotions.”

“I look forward to getting to know the new manager better.”