Bruno Fernandes has just made a damning yet truthful admission about his Manchester United side that Erik ten Hag still can’t concede.
Manchester United were on the cusp of registering a well-earned victory against Chelsea on Thursday but threw it away to lose a thrilling match 4-3.
Things got off to a bleak start for Erik ten Hag’s side as goals from Conor Gallagher and Cole Palmer saw Chelsea race into the lead.
But United were playing positively and kept their heads up, fighting back level before the break through Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes.
The end-to-end affair continued in the second half but it was United who took the lead when the excellent Antony delivered a stunning cross for Garnacho to nod home.
United were still leading in the 99th minute but then Cole Palmer converted his second penalty after a clumsy foul by Diogo Dalot.
There was yet more late drama as two minutes later Palmer was left all alone on the edge of the box and fired in the winner.
It was an agonising yet not exactly unsurprising defeat for United and Fernandes has been honest about his side’s failings afterwards.
Bruno Fernandes makes honest United admission that Erik ten Hag can’t
Speaking to TNT Sports (quotes via the BBC) after the game, Fernandes admitted United are facing far too many shots: “From the corner we have to be much quicker.
“We knew beforehand they take corners and throw-ins quickly.
“In the last games we’ve conceded too many shots. It’s about defending your box.”
Yet, Ten Hag could not make the same admission when he was asked about conceding so many shots by TNT (quotes via the BBC): “It is ridiculous.
“We showed we were fourth ranking goals in conceding and everyone is talking to each other after.
“We are good and we have good defending as a team and a good goalkeeper so I cannot do nothing.”
Has Erik ten Hag sealed his fate at Manchester United?
It’s all well and good for a manager to defend his players against criticism or even his own methods.
But when they are either lying or just oblivious to the facts they start resembling an ostrich with their head in the sand.
How Ten Hag can not admit the problem his side is facing and has been all season is infuriating.
United have faced 59 shots in the last two games alone and, according to OptaJoe, have conceded more attempts on goal than any other team in Europe’s big five leagues in 2024 with 225.
It’s undeniable that United aren’t protecting their goal well enough and while it may lead to entertaining matches, it does not result in consistent wins.
It’s a completely unsustainable approach the manager clearly believes is a good tactic as he hasn’t deviated from it despite the obvious failings.
In his own words, he ‘cannot do nothing’ to fix it. If that’s the case, then surely he has sealed his fate.