Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has apologized for a poor performance against Bournemouth that lacked quality, effort, and aggression.

Erik ten Hag won the Carabao Cup in his first season as manager, but his second season has been a roller coaster with more lows than highs.

United’s season came to an end on Saturday afternoon as Bournemouth won at Old Trafford for the first time in their history, with the hosts lucky to escape with a 3-0 defeat.

It was a significant drop-off from Wednesday’s 2-1 win against Chelsea, prompting Ten Hag to confess that they are not good enough to regularly play at a top level.

“(I want) to apologise for the performance,” Fernandes stated. “Beginning with me was not acceptable.” I’m not referring to anyone else.

“But I think everyone in the locker room agrees that the performance was (not) at our level, and we need to perform much better.”

“It was underperforming in terms of quality, effort, and aggression, as opposed to the previous game against Chelsea.”

“If you don’t do your job, you’re not going to win the game.”

During a difficult season in which United has lost 11 of 23 games in all competitions, similar statements and excuses have been heard.

They have won 11 games and drawn one, but the staggering number of defeats is putting pressure on Ten Hag and his side.

“I don’t know (why it was so different to Chelsea) but it’s been consistently like (this),” Fernandes was quoted as saying by MUTV. “When we win a game, we don’t perform as well in the following game.”

“I’m not sure if it’s a lack of concentration or focus or something else, but we have to be aware that after winning a game, we have to maintain that consistency of winning games.”

“Even sometimes (if we are) underperforming but getting the result.”

United must now hit the reset button and find the correct attitude to avoid being thrown into disarray at the conclusion of a key week.

First up is a crucial Champions League match against Bayern Munich on Tuesday, with the Red Devils only progressing if they win and Copenhagen and Galatasaray draw.

Then comes a Premier League encounter against Liverpool next Sunday, which Fernandes will miss due to his fifth booking of the season against Bournemouth.

“Obviously, it’s a good thing (that we’re playing soon),” Fernandes remarked. “Obviously, we realize that the next game will be extremely difficult.

“We need to win and obviously hope for a good result in the other game.”

“But first and foremost, we have to do our job, and thinking and understanding that this is going to be a difficult game for us.”

“But we are capable, more than able, to get the result.”

While United’s difficulties are being scrutinized in minute detail, things are looking much brighter on the south coast.

Summer engagement Andoni Iraola has led Bournemouth to a fantastic turnaround in recent weeks.

The goals were scored by Dominic Solanke, Philip Billing, and Marcos Senesi in a match that will go down as one of the Cherries’ finest ever results.

Long-serving right-back Adam Smith told BBC Radio Solent: “I’d say it’s number one.”

“I mean, this is the Theatre of Dreams, and we’ve never won here.” It was difficult at times, and we suffered. We were, however, playing Manchester United.

“I believe the lads will recall it for a long time.” We kept a clean sheet, and the score should have been 4-0. It was incredible for the supporters.”