Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag defends Bruno Fernandes and brands social media criticism ‘pathetic’ | Football News

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag accused Nottingham Forest of focusing on Bruno Fernandes in his aspect’s FA Cup win on the Metropolis Floor and branded criticism of his captain as “pathetic”.

The Portugal midfielder overcame a “severe damage” to play his half in United’s 1-0 victory at Forest, organising Casemiro’s 89th-minute winner from a free-kick.

Forest regarded lucky to not be decreased to 10 males in stoppage time after Felipe grabbed Fernandes’ throat.

He was on the receiving finish of loads of strong challenges from Forest all through the 90 minutes whereas additionally being the butt of social media jokes after Saturday’s loss towards Fulham the place he suffered the issue.

Fulham’s official TikTok account poked enjoyable at him for showing to feign damage and it bought Ten Hag’s again up.

Requested in regards to the severity of Fernandes’ damage, he stated: “I do not need to go into that since you noticed that Forest was focusing on him, so I do not inform what he has but it surely was a severe damage.

“There have been many fouls on him. Possibly I’m a bit bit too powerful however when he has the ball they had been actually tight on him.

“Then I see that severe media criticise him and social media is pathetic and it could possibly’t be.

“He has a severe damage however he continued to play on Saturday and right now he additionally fought to be a part of the sport and he has a really excessive ache threshold.

“Final 12 months he did additionally one thing related towards Spurs and within the semi-final and it exhibits his management as a result of that expresses his character and that is superb when you find yourself a pacesetter.”

Ten Hag: Liverpool an excellent problem for us

The historical past of United and English soccer might have turned out very otherwise if Mark Robins had not scored for the membership towards Nottingham Forest again in January 1990. Sir Alex Ferguson was getting ready to being sacked when Robins struck the winner in an FA Cup third-round tie.

It prevented a fourth straight trophy-less season for Ferguson and the remaining, as they are saying, is historical past. This dramatic victory – witnessed by Sir Alex within the stands – gives a welcome shot within the arm for Ten Hag.

His injury-hit United not solely bounced again from the house loss to Fulham however averted extra-time exertions earlier than this weekend’s derby conflict with Manchester Metropolis.

Ten Hag added: “It is large – we need to win each competitors – the staff combating, displaying willpower, ardour and need.

“They confirmed it right now, we had been disillusioned after Saturday however we confirmed resilience. We now have severe issues on the again 4 – completely satisfied Rapha [Raphael Varane] and Bruno [Fernandes] fought to be a part of this sport. It was so necessary, Bruno’s help.

“It was arduous to line-up, particularly the again 4 – it was a puzzle. We discovered the correct formation and organisation – first half though we created probabilities, we allowed them some counters.

“After that we took management of the sport – we had been calm, composed – we bought the switches, we took management, did not enable counter-attacks, more than happy with the second half – happy with the spirit and need confirmed.”

On dealing with Liverpool within the subsequent spherical, the United boss stated: “There are a lot of good groups within the Premier League – Liverpool are high so it is an excellent problem for us. We’re wanting ahead to Sunday [against Manchester City].”

Nuno: My gamers felt there was an unlawful block

Casemiro’s objective survived a prolonged VAR examine as Varane, who was in an offside place, blocked a few Forest gamers, however he was dominated to not be interfering in play.

Such has been Forest’s frustration at refereeing choices in current weeks, they’ve appointed Mark Clattenburg to behave as a conduit to the PGMOL and he was noticed sat subsequent to Howard Webb.

This was one other choice that went towards them however boss Nuno Espirito Santo, who swatted away Ten Hag’s strategies of focusing on Fernandes, didn’t need to dwell on it.

Nuno stated: “I did not see clearly the photographs however talking with the gamers they are saying it’s a block and a potential offside. They checked it.

“We now have had so many points on this interval with VAR and referees that we attempt to neglect about it and transfer ahead.

“I feel it was efficiency, we performed good, a lot better than the earlier sport, so enchancment from that.

“It’s irritating to lose it in the long run however I feel we performed good, soccer is merciless typically and right now we’re on that aspect.”

Broad: Honest consequence however ‘moan’ United will not beat Liverpool

Stuart Broad on Soccer Particular:

“Finally, I do not suppose any Forest fan can have any complaints in regards to the consequence. Manchester United had the additional high quality and possibly nearly deserved it.

“Onana needed to make 5 saves they usually had been all straight at him. If Forest had discovered the nook with certainly one of them, they’d have gone forward. United received it late on with a little bit of controversy over a possible offside however the block wasn’t interfering so it was the correct name.

“It was poor defending to permit the free-kick to come back in on the close to publish and for Casemiro to get to the ball first. I am gutted, however I am positive 99 per cent of the soccer world can be completely satisfied we have Man Utd vs Liverpool within the quarter-finals.

“I believed United had been fairly common. They are a bizarre watch as I grew up watching the staff below Sir Alex Ferguson. It is fairly tiring watching Fernandes. He has his arms up for nearly each choice and that feeds into the remainder of the staff.

“There is a moany tradition on the market on the sphere of play that they should try to shake as they have pure high quality there. It might be a shock for me in the event that they had been to beat Liverpool within the subsequent spherical. There’s one thing lacking with United and the gamers lack that very same depth.”

Rooney: Ten Hag will get time

Former Man Utd ahead Wayne Rooney advised the BBC: “It’s a large victory, and never the perfect of video games. Either side missed good probabilities however that is a giant win for Manchester United.

“You need large gamers to have large moments and Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro mixed on the finish. Loads is made about Erik ten Hag’s place however he has been doing OK. We’re beginning to see extra consistency and I feel he’ll get time.”

On Marcus Rashford’s type: “You want the staff to create probabilities for you in case you are enjoying as a quantity 9. Marcus Rashford must be extra ruthless and be affected person and keep in the course of the objective. You simply need to see extra from him.

“Confidence is the primary issue, he hasn’t been scoring recurrently this season and he perhaps must simplify his sport to get again within the groove.

“He isn’t probably the most vocal lad. His physique language does not look nice at occasions however he isn’t like that. The senior gamers have to get extra out of him and get him fired up.”

What’s next?

Nottingham Forest host Premier League leaders Liverpool on the Metropolis Floor on Saturday, kick-off 3pm.

Man Utd journey to the Etihad Stadium to face cross-town neighbours Man Metropolis on Sky Sports activities Premier League from 3pm, kick-off 3.30pm.