Bruno Fernandes has been told to take a look in the mirror following Manchester United’s opening weekend defeat against Hull City.
After his appointment as Ruben Amorim’s permanent successor in the summer, the Red Devils began the new season with an air of optimism following a promising summer.
Encouraging pre-season performances and a couple of shrewd new signings had added to the feelgood factor, but United were brought back down to earth by the newly-promoted Tigers on Saturday.
Two first-half goals, both coming from set-pieces, ultimately proved the difference as Carrick’s side slipped to a sobering defeat that has immediately put United on the backfoot.
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Club captain Fernandes led the post-match inquisition, making pointed accusations at his temmates.
‘Same mistakes as we did last season, every away game we give too much of the ball to them,’ Fernandes told TNT Sports.
‘In the first 20 minutes, the goalkeeper was the one with the most touches. We needed to press more, be more aggressive, and then again we need to work on set-plays and not concede these type of goals. Against these types of teams, they are waiting for that moment.
‘You need to match everything in intensity, aggression and everything. We had that apart from two set pieces. That cost us the game.’
Former Chelsea striker Tony Cascarino, however, felt Fernandes was in no position to be playing the blame game and claimed the United skipper was as anonymous as any of his colleagues.
He told talkSPORT: ‘I use this as a bit of a joke when I say someone is out standing like Bruno Fernandes yesterday. He was out standing, the problem is everyone else was out running. He wasn’t doing a thing.
‘Bruno Fernandes is a player who I’ve always felt there is so much quality there but when he goes missing, he really goes missing.
‘They were awful. There’s no other phrase of wrapping it up. I’ve seen the word pulverized and demolished.
‘I think Man United fans have had a real reality check. I’m sure Michael Carrick will turn it around when they get players back but that was something to be concerned about.’
United are expected to add to their midfield again in the next 24 hours with the addition of Carlos Baleba from Brighton, but Cascarino believes a change of attitude is required if Carrick to fully turn things around at Old Trafford.
He added: ‘He can get round the pitch. High-tempo, pressing, closing down whatever way you want to look at it, you must have a team.
‘I’ve played against numerous Man United teams and they didn’t let you breathe. You went to Old Trafford and you had a tin hat on because you were going to get battered.
‘They were great technically but also mentally. They could fight and this team yesterday didn’t look like they had fight in them.’
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