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.

Bournemouth defeated Manchester United 3-0 at Old Trafford for the first time in their history on Saturday.

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

“I’d like to sincerely 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 explanations and justifications have been heard during a disastrous season in which United has lost 11 of 23 games in all competitions.

Ten Hag and his side have won 11 games and drawn one, but the astounding number of losses has landed them in hot water.

“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.”

To avoid pandemonium at the end of a crucial week, United must immediately hit the reset button and find the appropriate mentality.

If United overcome Bayern Munich, Copenhagen, and Galatasaray, they will advance to the next round of the Champions League.

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 know 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 problems are being explored exhaustively, 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.

In a game that will go down as one of the best ever for the Cherries, Dominic Solanke, Philip Billing, and Marcos Senesi scored.

Adam Smith of BBC Radio Solent, a long-serving right-back, adds, “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 terrific for the fans.”