Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag accused Nottingham Forest of focusing on Bruno Fernandes in his aspect’s FA Cup win on the Metropolis Floor and branded criticism of his captain as “pathetic”.
The Portugal midfielder overcame a “severe harm” to play his half in United’s 1-0 victory at Forest, establishing Casemiro’s 89th-minute winner from a free-kick.
Forest regarded lucky to not be decreased to 10 males in stoppage time after Felipe grabbed Fernandes’ throat.
He was on the receiving finish of loads of strong challenges from Forest all through the 90 minutes whereas additionally being the butt of social media jokes after Saturday’s loss in opposition to Fulham the place he suffered the issue.
Fulham’s official TikTok account poked enjoyable at him for showing to feign harm and it bought Ten Hag’s again up.
Requested concerning the severity of Fernandes’ harm, he mentioned: “I do not need to go into that since you noticed that Forest was focusing on him, so I do not inform what he has but it surely was a severe harm.
“There have been many fouls on him. Perhaps I’m somewhat bit too powerful however when he has the ball they have been actually tight on him.
“Then I see that severe media criticise him and social media is pathetic and it could’t be.
“He has a severe harm however he continued to play on Saturday and immediately he additionally fought to be a part of the sport and he has a really excessive ache threshold.
“Final 12 months he did additionally one thing comparable in opposition to Spurs and within the semi-final and it reveals his management as a result of that expresses his character and that is excellent when you find yourself a frontrunner.”
Ten Hag: Liverpool an excellent problem for us
The historical past of United and English soccer may have turned out very in a different way if Mark Robins had not scored for the membership in opposition to Nottingham Forest again in January 1990. Sir Alex Ferguson was on the point of being sacked when Robins struck the winner in an FA Cup third-round tie.
It prevented a fourth straight trophy-less season for Ferguson and the remainder, as they are saying, is historical past. This dramatic victory – witnessed by Sir Alex within the stands – gives a welcome shot within the arm for Ten Hag.
His injury-hit United not solely bounced again from the house loss to Fulham however prevented extra-time exertions earlier than this weekend’s derby conflict with Manchester Metropolis.
Ten Hag added: “It is massive – we need to win each competitors – the group preventing, exhibiting dedication, ardour and want.
“They confirmed it immediately, we have been disenchanted after Saturday however we confirmed resilience. We’ve got severe issues on the again 4 – completely satisfied Rapha [Raphael Varane] and Bruno [Fernandes] fought to be a part of this sport. It was so essential, Bruno’s help.
“It was arduous to line-up, particularly the again 4 – it was a puzzle. We discovered the best formation and organisation – first half though we created probabilities, we allowed them some counters.
“After that we took management of the sport – we have been calm, composed – we bought the switches, we took management, did not enable counter-attacks, more than happy with the second half – happy with the spirit and want confirmed.”
On dealing with Liverpool within the subsequent spherical, the United boss mentioned: “There are numerous good groups within the Premier League – Liverpool are prime so it is an excellent problem for us. We’re wanting ahead to Sunday [against Manchester City].”
Nuno: My gamers felt there was an unlawful block
Casemiro’s objective survived a prolonged VAR examine as Varane, who was in an offside place, blocked a few Forest gamers, however he was dominated to not be interfering in play.
Such has been Forest’s frustration at refereeing choices in current weeks, they’ve appointed Mark Clattenburg to behave as a conduit to the PGMOL and he was noticed sat subsequent to Howard Webb.
This was one other determination that went in opposition to them however boss Nuno Espirito Santo, who swatted away Ten Hag’s ideas of focusing on Fernandes, didn’t need to dwell on it.
Nuno mentioned: “I did not see clearly the pictures however talking with the gamers they are saying it’s a block and a doable offside. They checked it.
“We’ve got had so many points on this interval with VAR and referees that we attempt to neglect about it and transfer ahead.
“I believe it was a superb efficiency, we performed good, a lot better than the earlier sport, so enchancment from that.
“It’s irritating to lose it in the long run however I believe we performed good, soccer is merciless generally and immediately we’re on that aspect.”
Broad: Truthful end result however ‘moan’ United will not beat Liverpool
Stuart Broad on Soccer Particular:
“In the end, I do not assume any Forest fan can have any complaints concerning the end result. Manchester United had the additional high quality and possibly nearly deserved it.
“Onana needed to make 5 saves and so they have been all straight at him. If Forest had discovered the nook with certainly one of them, they’d have gone forward. United gained it late on with a little bit of controversy over a possible offside however the block wasn’t interfering so it was the best name.
“It was poor defending to permit the free-kick to return in on the close to put up and for Casemiro to get to the ball first. I am gutted, however I am positive 99 per cent of the soccer world will probably be completely satisfied we have got Man Utd vs Liverpool within the quarter-finals.
“I assumed United have been fairly common. They seem to be a bizarre watch as I grew up watching the group beneath Sir Alex Ferguson. It is fairly tiring watching Fernandes. He has his arms up for nearly each determination and that feeds into the remainder of the group.
“There is a moany tradition on the market on the sphere of play that they should try to shake as they have pure high quality there. It will be a shock for me in the event that they have been to beat Liverpool within the subsequent spherical. There’s one thing lacking with United and the gamers lack that very same depth.”
Rooney: Ten Hag will get time
Former Man Utd ahead Wayne Rooney informed the BBC: “It’s a huge victory, and never one of the best of video games. Either side missed good probabilities however that is an enormous win for Manchester United.
“You need massive gamers to have massive moments and Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro mixed on the finish. Loads is made about Erik ten Hag’s place however he has been doing OK. We’re beginning to see extra consistency and I believe he’ll get time.”
On Marcus Rashford’s kind: “You want the group to create probabilities for you if you’re enjoying as a quantity 9. Marcus Rashford must be extra ruthless and be affected person and keep in the course of the objective. You simply need to see extra from him.
“Confidence is the primary issue, he hasn’t been scoring usually this season and he possibly must simplify his sport to get again within the groove.
“He is not probably the most vocal lad. His physique language does not look nice at instances however he isn’t like that. The senior gamers must get extra out of him and get him fired up.”
What’s subsequent?
Nottingham Forest host Premier League leaders Liverpool on the Metropolis Floor on Saturday, kick-off 3pm.
Man Utd journey to the Etihad Stadium to face cross-town neighbours Man Metropolis on Sky Sports activities Premier League from 3pm, kick-off 3.30pm.