Manchester United were desperately looking to bounce back after their disappointing draw against FC Twente in midweek, with a crucial match against Tottenham on the horizon. However, things went south almost immediately for United, as Spurs took the lead after just three minutes, with Brennan Johnson slotting the ball past the helpless defense. The early goal set the tone for what would become a long, frustrating afternoon for the Red Devils at Old Trafford.
The atmosphere at the stadium quickly shifted from hopeful to tense. With that early strike, United’s confidence seemed to evaporate. Every misplaced pass, every defensive error, only made things worse. The struggles intensified when Bruno Fernandes was shown a red card just before halftime, adding to the team’s growing list of problems. United were not only trailing on the scoreboard but now faced the daunting task of playing with 10 men for the entire second half.
Just three minutes into the second half, Tottenham doubled their lead, with Dejan Kulusevski expertly finishing a counterattack. United were left scrambling, unable to get a foothold in the game. The third blow came in the 77th minute when Dominic Solanke rose high to head in from a corner, putting the game completely out of reach. At 3-0 down, the outcome was clear, and many United fans had seen enough, making an early exit from Old Trafford, leaving Erik ten Hag to watch from the sidelines, under immense pressure.
The decision to stick with Ten Hag after last season’s FA Cup triumph was a divisive one, and now, with United’s poor form continuing, the questions surrounding his future are getting louder. His tactical approach is under scrutiny, with critics pointing to the team’s lack of coherence and defensive fragility. The failure to start the season strongly has reignited debates over whether the club made the right choice in keeping him at the helm.
After the match, Bruno Fernandes was quick to face the media, speaking to Sky Sports about the red card incident that ultimately changed the course of the game. Visibly frustrated, Fernandes didn’t shy away from acknowledging his own mistake. “I let my teammates down,” he admitted. “I respect what they did on the pitch because they fought hard. It was tough from the start, even with 11 versus 11.”
Reflecting on the red card decision, Fernandes felt the call was harsh. “Obviously, nobody likes being sent off, and watching from the sidelines while my teammates were running and fighting was painful. We conceded two more goals after the red card, but they tried their best to cover the gaps.” He continued to explain his point of view on the tackle that led to his dismissal. “I didn’t go in with studs, I caught him with my ankle. It’s a foul, but never a red card.”
Fernandes wasn’t alone in his frustration. “Even Maddison said it wasn’t a red card,” he added, referencing his opponent’s reaction. “If this is a red card, then we need to review many more situations. I’ve seen Onana being kicked multiple times, and none of them resulted in a red card. The touch wasn’t that hard. A yellow card? Maybe, because it was a counter-attack, but a red? Absolutely not. And why didn’t VAR tell the referee to take another look at the screen?”
Despite the outcome, Fernandes pointed out that United had moments where they could have been more clinical, even before his sending-off. “We found plenty of spaces but didn’t connect properly. We weren’t quick enough with our passing, and we gave the ball away too often. The goal we conceded was because of a poor pass from me, and they punished us for it.”
In the end, Manchester United were left to reflect on another tough outing. The pressure on Ten Hag is mounting, and the team’s inability to deliver consistent performances is a growing concern. As for Fernandes, his sense of injustice over the red card remains, but the harsh reality is that United are in desperate need of answers – and fast – if they are to salvag
e their season.