Manchester United’s captain, Bruno Fernandes, has issued a stern warning to his team, emphasizing the need for accountability in the wake of another Champions League setback against Galatasaray on Wednesday.
The Red Devils raced to a 2-0 lead within the first 18 minutes, with Fernandes’ stunning long-range goal complementing Alejandro Garnacho’s opener. However, persistent errors from Manchester United resulted in a disappointing 3-3 draw, putting their qualification hopes for the knockout stage in jeopardy.
This recurrence of mistakes echoes the first encounter between these teams in October, where United squandered a lead, leading to a 3-2 loss. Similarly, they faced a 4-3 defeat against Copenhagen despite holding a 2-0 advantage in the early stages.
“It’s really hard,” Fernandes reflected on the latest disappointment. “We conceded really bad goals. We have to take control of the situations in all of them.
“We were on top of the game twice and we had far too many chances to have the game closed. We were not clinical enough.”
When asked how United had allowed another two-goal lead to disappear, Fernandes continued: “It’s too hard to be honest, I don’t want to be too negative.
“But what we have been doing in the Champions League is not enough. It is not the first game we’ve had like this. We have to secure the result. We have to understand in these types of games and stages we have to be smart enough and manage the game better.
“Everyone has to step up and take responsibility of their own mistakes. Now we don’t depend on ourselves but it is what it is.”
United now sit bottom of their group and must beat leaders Bayern Munich on the final matchday to have any chance of qualifying, but their fate has been taken out of their hands as Erik ten Hag’s side are relying on a draw between Copenhagen and Galatasaray. Should there be a winner in that game, the victor will advance alongside Bayern regardless of United’s result.