Bruno Fernandes and Man United players told to 'stop hiding behind Erik ten Hag'

World Cup winner Emmanuel Petit has told Bruno Fernandes that it is up to him and his teammates to change the atmosphere at Manchester United, with the Frenchman telling them to “stop hiding behind the manager”.

Petit was referring to comments made by Fernandes last week, in which he said the Portugal squad mood was “completely different" to the “not positive” one at Old Trafford currently. Pressure is growing on Erik ten Hag amid United’s poor start to the campaign.

They have won just two of their opening seven Premier League games having failed to score in their last three fixtures in the competition, and consequently languish in 14th in the table. United have also picked up just two points out of a possible six in the Europa League so far.

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Petit has not been enamoured by Ten Hag at United, but says the manager is not solely to blame for the situation the team finds itself in. “I'm not a huge fan of Ten Hag, especially his communication but as well the passion from him - I can't see it,” he told the Manchester Evening News.

“So this is something I don't like from him. Is he the only one responsible for this situation? No, no, definitely not. I can see that players, some of them are so far away from their right level. The expectation as well, the ambition they have to show when you play at Manchester United. So a lot of people must share responsibility with Ten Hag.”

Petit is furthermore unsure that axing the Dutchman is the right call. He believes the players need to self-reflect, and took issue with the comments from Fernandes last week.

He added: “I think they should stick with Ten Hag, but I think players should understand that they have responsibility as well. So if you follow what Fernandes said with Portugal during the press conference, he said the environment [at Portugal] is completely different.

“I can understand why things are not good at Manchester United because of the environment on and off the pitch. But I would say: Yes, but you are players. You can change this on the pitch. That's your responsibility all together. So stop hiding behind the manager. Take responsibility on the pitch.”

Emmanuel Petit was speaking to the Manchester Evening News courtesy of BetBrain