Erik ten Hag and Nuno in disagreement over Bruno Fernandes after Man Utd win

28 February 2024 , 23:01

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Bruno Fernandes during Manchester United's 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest (Image: Getty Images)

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has branded the criticism faced at Bruno Fernandes as "pathetic" and believes Nottingham Forest "targeted him" during their 1-0 FA Cup win.

A clip surfaced on social media after the Red Devils lost 2-1 against Fulham, which appeared to show the Portugal midfielder feign an injury. United were searching for a winner and he tested his luck from range. But as his shot was saved, Fernandes went down holding his ankle after being caught by Sasa Lukic.

Fernandes eventually got back up on his feet and the debacle was not missed by United fans, who voiced their fury at the midfielder. Despite this, Fernandes was back in action to captain the Red Devils at Forest and he assisted the winner, crossing for Casemiro to head home in the dying embers.

It was an impressive performance from Fernandes, though Ten Hag has revealed that his skipper played through the entire game with a "serious injury". The United boss did not reveal the extent or location of the problem, however, as Fernandes was spotted leaving the City Ground limping.

Speaking in his post-match press conference, a furious Ten Hag said: "I don't go into that (his injury). You saw that Forest were targeting him. I don't say what it is, but it was a serious injury.

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"I see social media criticise him. It is pathetic. He has a serious injury, he continued to play on Saturday and then also he fought to be part of this game. He has a very high pain threshold. Last year, he did something similar against Spurs and I think in the semi-final. It shows his leadership."

Asked if he felt Forest were deliberately looking to hurt Fernandes, he continued: "There were many fouls on him. You see when he is getting the ball, they are really tight on him."

Erik ten Hag has defended Bruno Fernandes

Meanwhile, Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo shut down Ten Hag's suggestion that Forest targeted Fernandes. He said: "I don't think so. I didn't see what Erik saw."

As for the game itself, the victory for United ensures they progress into the quarter-final of the FA Cup to face Liverpool next month. On facing Jurgen Klopp's men in the next round, Ten Hag said: "There are many good teams in the Premier League. It is a great challenge for us. We are really looking forward. We like the challenges."

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Kieran King