29 February 2024 , 14:40
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Erik ten Hag has branded Fulham “out of order” and demanded an apology from Manchester United's Premier League rivals after they mocked Bruno Fernandes on social media.
United boss Ten Hag has also called for Fernandes to be given more protection from referees after claiming his captain and playmaker is targeted by opposing players.
Fulham posted a provocative post on their official TikTok account, digging out Fernandes for his perceived play-acting, following their historic 2-1 victory at United last weekend.
The clip posted by Fulham shows Fernandes going to ground late on in the game at Old Trafford, with the score at 1-1, under a challenge from Fulham midfielder Sasa Lukic.
After Fernandes takes a shot, he falls to the ground, waving his arm in the air to seemingly plead for a free-kick, 25 yards out from the Fulham goal. When his protests are ignored, Fernandes gets back to his feet and asks for the ball, appearing to have made an immediate recovery from the challenge.
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Ten Hag branded social media criticism of Fernandes “pathetic” after the win at Forest and said Fulham should issue a formal apology to him and United. He said: “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 wrong and they should apologise for this.
“Bruno is a very passionate football player and a very creative one. He has created the most changes in the Premier League. Opponents are targeting him, especially after Saturday, when he had the knock. They see it and the referee should protect him there. It was so obvious they were looking for him.
Fernandes, seen speaking to officials after the match, was ridiculed by Fulham on social media after he appeared to go down injured“I thought it was definitely a foul on Saturday and really misjudged from media, from social media, to blame him. That was my point yesterday [after the win at Forest]. Opponents are targeting him and that's not right. There were fouls on him even after the ball was kicked away.”
The clip of Fernandes incident is accompanied by the caption "So glad he's ok" and an eye-rolling emoji, and also set to comical music, to clearly underline the perceived element of farce to Fernandes going down and then springing back up seconds later, apparently fine.
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