Bruno Fernandes admitted that he apologised to Erik ten Hag following his dismissal at Manchester United, after he netted in their 1-1 draw with Chelsea in the Premier League.
The midfielder's penalty was cancelled out by Moises Caicedo's excellent strike in Sunday's clash at Old Trafford, the first top-flight game since the Dutchman was shown the door.
Interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy will guide United through to the November international break, when Ruben Amorim will take the reins after Ten Hag failed to turn things around.
Speaking afterwards, Fernandes acknowledged that the team's former boss did not necessarily deserve to be the man who was handed the sack after poor form at the club.
"It is not good for anyone at the club when the manager goes," he told Sky Sports. "The team is not the best, the results are not the best and he is the one who pays for it.
"Whenever you see a manager go you have to take some of the blame on yourself, it is because the team is not doing so well.
“It is easier to get rid of a manager. I spoke to the manager [Ten Hag] and apologised to him, I was disappointed he has gone. We are not scoring goals and I feel responsible."
United won their first game after Ten Hag's dismissal in midweek, notching a 5-2 win over Leicester City to advance to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.
Next, they return to the UEFA Europa League looking for their first continental win of the campaign, welcoming Super League Greece outfit PAOK to face them.
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