Bruno Fernandes in action for Manchester United (Credit: AFP)
In a presser prior to the Manchester Derby this Sunday, Ten Hag was asked about the post put up by Fulham, to which he went off on the club and their actions.
It was funny until it wasn’t. But, for Manchester United boss Erik Ten Hag, it never was funny to begin with.
Ten Hag lashed out at Fulham after their social media handle on TikTok posted a clip mocking United midfielder Bruno Fernandes for faking an injury during their Premier League clash last week.
Fulham ultimately triumphed at the Theatre of Dreams with the aid of a last-minute winner from Alex Iwobi to seal the deal 2-1 and take all three points home.
After their encounter, Fulham’s TikTok handle posted a clip from the match where Fernandes could be seen diving blatantly in order to garner a foul call from the referee, but it was unsuccessful.
In a presser prior to the Manchester Derby this Sunday, Ten Hag was asked about the post put up by Fulham, to which he went off on the club and their actions.
“I didn’t know this, but if they did it I would say it is not right. It is absolutely not right that a club makes such a statement, because it is totally out of order and they were wrong so they should apologise for this,” stated an angry Ten Hag.
Fernandes does have a reputation for his tendency to over-exaggerate tackles on him, selling cheap dives over the past couple of years. So, to rule Fulham’s actions as hurtful in this case might be a bit harsh.
But, with United’s derby against Manchester City lined up and both Fernandes and defender Raphael Varane being ruled doubtful to play in the games, Ten Hag defended his midfielder and his passion and commitment for the club.
“You see opponents are targeting him and especially after Saturday when he had the knock and they see it, and then I feel the referee should protect him there. They had to change at the start of the game because it was so obvious they were looking for him.”
United are in the midst of an injury-riddled period, with the likes of defender Harry Maguire and in-fomr striker Rasmus Hojlund set to stay on United’s lengthy injury list.
This comes in an unfortunate time when the sixth-placed United are set to go up against rivals and defending champions Manchester City in their next matchday, a team who has been in dominant form with their star players of Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne wreaking havoc.
But, Ten Hag maintains faith in his team.
“They have a good team but there are more good teams. They have won in the last season everything so we know that that’s the challenge, but also Liverpool have a very good team and there are more. We like such challenges.”
