Bruno Fernandes makes shock Man Utd admission on Portugal duty with Ten Hag already under pressure after Liverpool loss
BRUNO FERNANDES admits Manchester United are not ready to win the Premier League after their drubbing against Liverpool.
The Red Devils made dreadful errors and were second best throughout in the 3-0 defeat to their rivals.
United looked shaky at the back and toothless in attack and captain Fernandes accepts they are way off from being title contenders.
He revealed the objective is to finish in the top four to qualify for the Champions League, suggesting his side are not in the position to launch a title charge.
Fernandes told DAZN Portugal: “Yes, I am perfectly aware that this Manchester United is not ready to win the Premier League.
“We are, indeed, fighting for the title with the concrete and real objective of trying to finish in the top four, in the places that give access to the Champions League.
“But there is still a lot to improve for the greater objective, and for my dream, which is to one day win this championship.”
Fernandes, 29, was far from his best against Liverpool and former Premier League boss Alan Pardew believes he should be stripped of the captaincy, for his own good.
Pardew said: “Today, it was never Fernandes because they never had the ball enough.
“Defensively, he’s not been called upon.
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Man Utd player ratings vs Liverpool
MANCHESTER UNITED had a horror show against Liverpool as they lost 3-0.
Casemiro was so bad he was taken off at half-time.
But were there any positive performances at Old Trafford?
Andre Onana – 5
Nothing he could do about any of Liverpool’s goals and made a few saves to prevent the scoreline from getting worse.
Noussair Mazraoui – 5
Came close to scoring in the first half and looked solid enough against Diaz although he did push up too high before Liverpool’s opener.
Matthijs de Ligt – 4
Left Diaz and Domink Szobozslai in acres of space for the opening goal but was left in a tricky spot thanks to Casemiro’s error.
Booked for a shocking late tackle on Diaz.
Lisandro Martinez – 3
Lost Diaz for the second goal which meant the Colombian was able to score unmarked from the penalty spot.
Also guilty of giving away the ball too easily and was not tight enough with his marking.
Diogo Dalot – 4
Was caught out pushing up too quickly for the first goal and did not do enough to stop Mo Salah’s cross in the build-up to Liverpool’s second.
Looked dangerous in attack at times but too infrequently as he had plenty of defensive work to do since Rashford did not track Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Casemiro – 2
A horror show in the first half as he gave the ball away in the lead up to both of Liverpool’s goals.
He was caught on the ball for the second after a shocking misplaced pass left his defence vulnerable for the opening goal. Hooked at half-time.
Kobbie Mainoo – 4
Fell victim to the Casemiro curse as he was shrugged off the ball in a terrible position, allowing Liverpool to add a third with ease.
Bruno Fernandes – 5
Was United’s most creative spark but that is not saying much. Tried to get his side going in the first half but looked short of ideas and inspiration after the break.
Alejandro Garnacho – 4
Still appears to be a little rusty and is yet to hit the heights he reached last season.
Marcus Rashford – 3
Nothing came off for the out-of-sorts forward who must be running out of chances before he is dropped.
Joshua Zirkzee – 4
Quiet up-front and had little influence on the wing as well, but missed a clear-cut chance with his head and should have turned in Rashford’s cross which he met at the far post.
Subs
Tom Collyer (for Casemiro, HT) – 5
A difficult game for the youngster to make his Premier League debut but he put himself about and won a few tackles.
Harry Maguire (for De Ligt, 69mins) – 5
Shored things up at the back as Liverpool took their foot off the pedal.
Amad (for Garnacho, 69mins) – 5
Provided a spark on the right and looked more lively than Garnacho.
Christian Eriksen (for Zirkzee, 86mins) – N/A
Not on long enough to make an impact.
“How can he lead the team? It’s a very difficult one for him.
“I actually think it would be better for him as a footballer to take it off him.
“I think it might free him up a bit, let him be a bit more free-minded. He’s probably worrying about the back four, worrying about the wingers.
“You don’t really know how to deal with it. I don’t know, I think it’s a hamper to him.”