It was a crazy: Fernandes admits where Man Utd have been going wrong after Chelsea defeat
Bruno Fernandes admits that Manchester United are facing too many shots from their opponents, after the dramatic 4-3 defeat to Chelsea on Thursday night.
It was a crazy night at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea took an early lead, then found themselves 3-2 behind going into injury time but managed to win the game thanks to two very late Cole Palmer goals to complete his hat-trick.
Fernandes scored the second United goal, with Alejandro Garnacho’s brace either side of his effort, but it wasn’t enough in the end.
Chelsea has 28 shots over the contest, which continued the pattern of Manchester United conceding an enormous amount of shots this season.
The Red Devils have faced 275 shots in all competitions in 2024, which is the most of any team in the top five leagues in Europe.
Fernandes admits this is a problem, not just against Chelsea, and something they must address as they prepare to play Liverpool on Sunday.
‘We had the game in our hands and we gave it away,’ Fernandes told TNT Sports. ‘It’s frustrating. It’s difficult to take. We had good control in the last few minutes. But they got two chances and scored two goals.
‘From the corner we have to be much quicker. We knew beforehand they take corners and throw-ins quickly.
‘In the last games we’ve conceded too many shots. It’s about defending your box.
‘It’s a big game [on Sunday against Liverpool]. I don’t need to say anything [to his team-mates]. If I need to say anything it’s a problem because this is a massive club.’
Presented with the damning statistic on shots, Eric ten Hag was dismissive, saying: ‘It is ridiculous. We showed we were fourth ranking before this game in goals conceded.
‘Everyone is talking each other after, so I can’t do anything with it. We are good. We have good defending as a team.
‘We have a great goalkeeper as well, we have a good back four. I can do nothing with such stats.’
