In a fiery post-match commentary, Erik ten Hag lambasted Nottingham Forest’s tactics against Bruno Fernandes during Manchester United’s triumph in the FA Cup fifth round. The manager accused Forest of deliberately targeting Fernandes, labeling the criticism towards the midfielder as “pathetic.”
During United’s 1-0 win at the City Ground, Fernandes, despite nursing a “serious injury” from the previous weekend, orchestrated the victory with a crucial free-kick converted by Casemiro in the 89th minute. However, the match saw Fernandes enduring a barrage of rough tackles from Forest, leaving him visibly affected.
Ten Hag expressed his frustration, highlighting Fernandes’s resilience in playing through pain and enduring physical challenges, citing his leadership qualities and high pain threshold. He emphasized Fernandes’s determination to contribute to the team despite the adversities faced.
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The victory sets up a quarter-final clash with arch-rivals Liverpool, providing United with a chance to salvage silverware in what has been a challenging season. Ten Hag acknowledged the tough task ahead but emphasized his team’s readiness to face the formidable Liverpool side.
As United gear up for the Premier League encounter against Manchester City, the focus remains on overcoming challenges and delivering standout performances on the field.
