Aoba Tanaka Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has come to the defense of his captain, Bruno Fernandes, accusing Nottingham Forest of targeting the Portuguese midfielder during their FA Cup fifth-round clash. Ten Hag labeled the criticism against Fernandes as “pathetic” and praised his leadership qualities.
In the match against Forest, Fernandes delivered a crucial free-kick that led to Brazilian midfielder Casemiro’s 89th-minute header, securing a victory for Manchester United and setting up a home quarter-final against Liverpool.
Ten Hag addressed the criticism directed at Fernandes, particularly in light of the player’s actions in the previous match against Fulham. After staying down following minimal contact in a challenge, Fernandes faced backlash on social media.
“You saw that Forest were targeting him. There were many fouls on him, and you see when he is getting the ball, they are really tight on him,” remarked Ten Hag, emphasizing the physical attention Fernandes received from the opposition.
Despite appearing to be limping as he left the pitch, Fernandes’ commitment to the game was commended by Ten Hag. The manager defended Fernandes against social media criticism, calling it “pathetic” and highlighting the player’s high pain threshold.
“I see social media criticising him. It is pathetic. He had a serious injury but he continued to play on Saturday, and then also he fought to be part of this game,” expressed Ten Hag, shedding light on Fernandes’ determination to contribute despite potential injuries.
While not disclosing the specific injury, Ten Hag referred to Fernandes’ history of playing through pain, showcasing his leadership qualities. Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo denied that his team specifically targeted Fernandes, stating that they controlled him in a fair manner.
The incident adds a layer of scrutiny to the physical challenges faced by star players and the subsequent social media reactions, highlighting the ongoing debate around fair play and perceived play-acting in football.
