“We knew beforehand.”
Man United captain Bruno Fernandes admits that his team “knew” what would happen against Chelsea, but still let it happen anyway as they lost 4-3.
United were 2-0 down to Chelsea but looked to have showed great mental resolve by fighting back and even taking the lead to make it 3-2 thanks to goals from Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho.
However, a late penalty from Cole Palmer made it 3-3 before the young Englishman managed to steal victory 11 minutes into injury time and seal his hat-trick along with three points for the Blues.
Bruno Fernandes admits that Man United “knew” what would happen against Chelsea.
Last week the Red Devil’s conceded a late equaliser to Brentford, but instead of learning from past mistakes, they seem doomed to repeat them.
Speaking to TNT Sports, the United captain said: “We had the game in our hands and we gave it away. It’s frustrating. It’s difficult to take.
“We had good control in the last few minutes. But they got two chances and scored two goals. 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.”
“It’s a big game [on Sunday against Liverpool],” said Fernandes. “I don’t need to say anything [to my teammates]. If I need to say anything it’s a problem because this is a massive club.”
Erik ten Hag becoming increasingly frustrated by “individual errors”.
Man United manager Erik ten Hag was a visibly frustrated figure following his side’s defeat to Chelsea, and he has a lot of problems to address before they play Liverpool this Sunday.
The Dutchman actually defended his side, claiming that they played well for large parts of the game, but “individual errors” are what cost them once again.
“Of course, that frustrates me the most,” Ten Hag said on the stoppage-time goals. “We started the game poor, making individual errors.
“But by that moment already I had the feeling we are dominating the game and we fought ourselves back into the game. We make ourselves in a winning position by very good football, sometimes brilliant football, scoring great goals.
“And then in stoppage time we didn’t manage it, we didn’t bring the win over the line and of course, that’s frustrating. I don’t know what it is but what it is that you have to do your job and they know their jobs and then you have to make the right decisions.
“And we didn’t make the right decisions, we didn’t react quick enough to avoid this situation.
“I said today to the players, on decision-making, we have to make better decisions, it’s our strength. You saw again how we score from counters – we can be such a massive threat. And we have seen today an example with tempo, how we can beat our opponents, where we are unstoppable.
“But we have to read when to keep the ball, especially when you are winning. Keep the ball, pass and move and switch the play instead of giving the ball away or going only into long balls. Bring the ball into the opponent’s half, keep passing, discourage the opponent.
“But then if you have to defend you have to do it proper and we made the wrong decisions. And on individual errors and that’s very frustrating if you’re playing a good game.”
