Bruno Fernandes explains what went wrong for Manchester United in derby loss
Manchester City hosted their neighbours, Manchester United, in what fans thought would be a very exciting and competitive derby at the Etihad. But it took Pep Guardiola’s side only 44 minutes to kill any such expectations.
United found themselves 4-0 down in the first half, courtesy of braces from both Erling Haaland and Phil Foden. Bruno Fernandes, who started the game and was the captain of the United side has now explained what went wrong.
Speaking to MUTV (h/t Manchester Evening News), the midfielder reflected on the defeat and believes that the ‘attitude’ and ‘belief’ of his teammates were poor.
“I think the attitude and the belief from the beginning was not the best. I think that caused us many problems and made us concede early goals. I think the second half was much better, we kept control more.”
There is no doubt that the second half was comparatively much better than the first for the visitors. Antony scored a beautiful curling goal from outside the box, while Anthony Martial came off the bench to net a brace.
Club football had returned after almost a month and this is not what Erik ten Hag would have imagined happening. The first half was a nightmare for the fans, and words cannot describe what it must have been for the players on the pitch.
The players lacked everything in every department and seemed nervous right from the kick-off whistle. They failed to put in a string of passes together, while the defence looked scattered everywhere.
And to make things worse, Raphael Varane had to be substituted in the first half as he picked up an injury. October could be said to be the season-defining month for the Red Devils and they have gotten off to the worst possible start.
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Focus will now shift to European competition. United will travel to face Omonia this Thursday. Anything less than a win in that game will likely not be acceptable to either Ten Hag or the fans.
