Bruno Fernandes makes honest admission about relationship with Solskjaer nearly a year after sack

• Bruno Fernandes revealed he is still in contact with his former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
• Solskjaer was dismissed in November 2021 after a poor fun of form which was summed up by defeat against Watford
• The former United boss occasionally sends congratulatory messages, according to Fernandes

Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes has opened up about his relationship with Ole Gunnar Solskaer, nearly a year after the Norwegian was sacked.

Defeat to Watford in November 2021 proved to be the final straw for Solskjaer, who had made a dismal start to the 2021/22 campaign.

In his final game, Harry Maguire was sent off as United shipped in four goals at Vicarage Road for their firth defeat in seven games.

Fernandes did an interview with The Athletic recently where he opened up on his relationship with Solskjaer, 10 months on.

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"He (Solskjaer), still sends me some messages and says congratulations for certain things. He’s someone who I want to remain in touch with. I said that to him before he left the club." Fernandes said.

How Solskjaer affected Ralf Rangnick’s philosophy at Man United

Fernandes, who initially hit the ground running when he joined United in 2020, also opened up on how interim boss Ralf Rangnick found it hard to integrate his tactics because of United getting accustomed to Solskjaer’s ways.

“Ralf came with his idea of playing with intensity and pressing and how he was used to playing in Germany. But it did not quite work out with us because there was an atmosphere between everyone where the confidence was low and everything was really down. It is really difficult to come off when you are in that run.” He explained.

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“It is nothing to do with Ralf. He tried his best. He is a good manager with good ideas but it did not fit with everyone. This is because the team had been built with Ole and his idea, and then a new manager comes in with (his own idea). That probably could be the difference at the club because every manager who has been here has had different ideas, so they bring different players in.”

Fernandes savages Nicolas Pepe

Previously, Sports Brief reported of how Fernandes also publicly questioned why Nicolas Pepe was not ridiculed over his poor performances last season.

Fernandes drew comparisons between himself and Pepe and asked why the former Arsenal winger received preferential treatment from fans and the press.

The Portuguese international was addressing his loss of form last season coupled with a poor return of results from Manchester United. The club ended up finishing sixth and had to settle for a place in the Europa League.