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

Erik ten Hag’s first season as manager saw him win the Carabao Cup, but his second season has been a roller coaster with more lows than highs.

On Saturday afternoon, Bournemouth won at Old Trafford for the first time in their history, leaving United lucky to escape with a 3-0 defeat.

It was a considerable drop-off from Wednesday’s 2-1 win against Chelsea, causing Ten Hag to admit that they are not talented enough to play at the highest level on a regular basis.

“I’d like to apologize for my performance,” Fernandes said. “Beginning with me was not acceptable.” I’m not talking about 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.”

Similar arguments and justifications have been heard during a dismal season in which United has lost 11 of 23 games in all competitions.

They have won 11 games and drawn one, but the astounding number of losses is putting Ten Hag and his team under pressure.

“I don’t know (why it was so different to Chelsea), but it’s been consistently like (this),” Fernandes was cited by MUTV as saying. “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 right attitude to avoid being plunged into chaos at the end of a crucial week.

The Red Devils will advance to the next round of the Champions League if they beat Bayern Munich and Copenhagen and Galatasaray draw.

Then there’s next Sunday’s Premier League match against Liverpool, 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 said. “Of course, we understand that the following 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 problems are being examined in minute detail, things are looking up on the south coast.

Andoni Iraola, Bournemouth’s summer signing, has led the club to a stunning turnaround in recent weeks.

Dominic Solanke, Philip Billing, and Marcos Senesi scored in a contest that will go down as one of the Cherries’ best ever results.

Right-back with a long history According to Adam Smith of BBC Radio Solent, “I’d say it’s number one.”

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

“I believe the lads will recall it for a long time.” The score should have been 4-0 because we kept a clean sheet. It was great for the fans.”