29 November 2023 , 21:35
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Bruno Fernandes told his Manchester United team-mates that they must look at themselves after conceding more "really bad goals" in their Champions League giveaway at Galatasaray.
The Red Devils' hopes of reaching the knockout phase were dented by a thrilling 3-3 draw in Istanbul. Erik ten Hag's side twice boasted a two-goal advantage, only to surrender their leads in calamitous fashion. Goalkeeper Andre Onana could be questioned for all three of Galatasaray's comeback goals, particularly his howler to make it 3-2 midway through the second half, while Fernandes himself gave away both free-kicks for Hakim Ziyech's two set-piece strikes.
United's captain then bemoaned in a post-match interview with TNT Sports: "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.
"I have nothing to explain. We concede the two goals and there's nothing we can do now. Obviously we could have done better with those two goals but it is what it is."
Despite Galatasaray's continual responses, Fernandes strongly felt that his team had plenty of opportunities to secure all three points which would've kept the Red Devils' destiny in their own hands. Scott McTominay, Facundo Pellistri and Anthony Martial were among those to squander second-half opportunities to kill the contest.
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"Every time we conceded a goal we had many chances to score again," Fernandes added. "At the end of the game we had four chances. We have to lift our heads up and try to get the best players in the best positions and not take chances ourselves. We need to put the team first. It was mistakes by ourselves on the goals we conceded."
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Bruno Fernandes was left dejected after drawing with Galatasaray (YASIN AKGUL/AFP via Getty Images)United are now relying on other results in Group A going their way, while they'll also have to beat Bayern Munich at Old Trafford on December 12. "I don't want to be too negative," the 29-year-old, who spectacularly put the Red Devils 2-0 up in the 18th minute after Alejandro Garnacho's opener, went on to say.
"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."