Erik ten Hag disagrees with Wayne Rooney after criticism of Man Utd star

09 March 2024 , 16:03

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Erik ten Hag defended his captain in his post-match interview (Image: TNT Sports)

Erik ten Hag refused to criticise Bruno Fernandes after the Manchester United captain was criticised for giving Marcus Rashford a penalty against Everton.

United beat Everton 2-0 at Old Trafford in the Premier League in Saturday’s early kick-off thanks to two first-half spot-kicks. Fernandes put them ahead with a calm penalty after James Tarkowski tripped Alejandro Garnacho in the box.

But when Bon Godfrey clattered Garnacho later in the first half, it wasn’t the Portugal international who stepped up again. Instead, Fernandes was caught on camera handing the ball over to Rashford, who kept his cool by finding the bottom corner with a whipped finish.

It was the second time this season that Fernandes had given Rashford a penalty, despite the captain having developed a reputation as a specialist by scoring 17 in the Premier League since arriving in February 2020 – more than any other player. Back in November, Fernandes received pelters from Roy Keane for doing the same thing in a 3-0 win.

This time it was former United striker Wayne Rooney who was unhappy, although for different reasons. Talking about Rashford at half-time on TNT Sports, he said: “I think for me, I would’ve liked to have seen him stamp his authority down, tell Bruno Fernandes that he wants that first penalty. I know he takes the second one but I want to see him take that responsibility.

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“As a goalscorer, you want every opportunity you can get your hands on to score goals. He did well, he’s a great penalty taker and Marcus should be saying to him he wants it. I know he’s the captain and you probably want to have that one penalty taker you can rely on but I just want to see Marcus score goals, maybe I’m a bit biassed!”

Asked after the game if Fernandes gave Rashford the penalty because the team needed to 'rally around' him, Ten Hag said: "No, he's good in the team. It shows the team spirit again.

Bruno Fernandes handed over the ball to Marcus Rashford for the second penalty (TNT Sports)

HAVE YOUR SAY! What do you think about Manchester United using two different penalty takers? Comment below.

"Bruno took the first but we have more very good penalty takers: Bruno, Rashy, Casemiro. So we have more. Also he did this at Everton, he gave it to Rashy – at that period he had a difficult time, but this time he's good. He's in the team, he has a good spirit and is a threat."

Garnacho also explained the thinking behind Fernandes' call from on the pitch. He told TNT Sports: "Bruno is the captain, if he plays, he’ll always be on penalties but if he’s not, then we give them to Rashford. For him, it’s not a problem – we’re a family so there’s no worries there."

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Felix Keith