Ian Wright believes Bruno Fernandes was baffled by Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag’s tactics during their Premier League defeat to Brighton.
United failed to build on their opening-day victory over Fulham at the weekend as they suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Brighton.
Momentum was with the Red Devils after Amad Diallo cancelled out Danny Welbeck’s first-half goal but United suffered some VAR misfortune before Joao Pedro scored an injury-time winner for the hosts.
Ex-Arsenal and England striker Wright was confused by ‘a lot of things’ he saw in Manchester United’s performance and especially Ten Hag’s decision to sub off Fernandes in the latter stages.
United’s captain was withdraw in the 79th minute and replaced by Scott McTominay. New signing Matthijs de Ligt came on at the same time for Harry Maguire.
Wright cannot believe Ten Hag took Fernandes off and believes even the player was baffled by the manager’s decision and ‘laughing’ as he made his way off the pitch.
‘A lot of things happened in that game that I just couldn’t understand or see happening,’ he said on the Wrighty’s House podcast.
‘Like I can’t understand why he took Bruno off and went so defensive. Why are you taking him off?
‘When he [Fernandes] ran off, he was actually smiling and laughing. He was like, “what the f***? I can’t believe this guy.”
‘That’s the vibe I got from it. If anyone is going to win a game for you it’s Bruno Fernandes.’
Ten Hag only narrowly avoided the sack over the summer and is already under ‘pressure’ after just two games of the new season, according to Arsenal legend Martin Keown.
Manchester United spoke to several candidates about replacing the Dutchman – including ex-Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel – but ultimately decided to keep Ten Hag in the Old Trafford hot-seat.
‘You feel that pressure is already on Erik ten Hag,’ said Keown. ‘The momentum they seemed to get from that opening day win to then have lost this weekend – it is worrying.
‘Their next game is Liverpool at home so let’s see how they do there. They did well in that fixture last season, so maybe how their season goes on from here hinges on that game.’
Manchester United’s next Premier League opponents Liverpool have taken six points from their opening two games, beating Ipswich Town and Brentford ahead of the trip to Old Trafford.
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