Erik ten Hag doesn't mind when players have a go at each other on the pitch as emotion makes the team play better and says Bruno Fernandes and Antony remain on good terms despite their flare-up.
United struggled to find their rhythm when they took on Crystal Palace on Wednesday even after Fernandes fired them in front with a thunderous strike just before half-time. Chances went begging and the game wasn't killed off, allowing for Michael Olise to drag the Eagles level late on with a stunning free-kick.
Tempers got the better of Fernandes and Antony during one passage of play in the first half in which a promising attack broke down after Antony didn't continue his run down the flank to receive the captain's flick back to him. Both players could be seen shouting at each other over the mix-up but Ten Hag likes players enforcing standards on the pitch.
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"I think they are really OK with that," he told Sky Sports. "There is always emotion, so much is about brains, but also emotion too when the heart rules the head.
"Those two, and there are others, when they bring that emotion to the game, it makes their performance better. Sometimes they cross the line with each other, but in the same minute, they are best friends again."
Fernandes has roared back to his best form this season and is enjoying a particularly hot streak at present with two goals in his last two games. Ten Hag moved to praise the playmaker.
"He brings so much energy fabulous in transition both ways," he continued. "A couple of weeks ago he got some criticism as to why is he not scoring. He was disappointed too.
"I said 'wait, be calm, be composed your goals will come, but do the things we want you to do, that you are good at. It means a lot for the team and that brings the team a result', and now we see him scoring two goals in two games.
"I am confident when we keep this team process going, he will even score more. But the base is always the capabilities he has and there are not many players who are as skilful in transition as Bruno is."
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