Bruno Fernandes stood up for Erik ten Hag on the pitch, and so it was no surprise that Ten Hag stood up for Fernandes afterwards. Another turbulent week at Old Trafford had ended with Fernandes scoring the only goal at Fulham in added time and Ten Hag launched a vigorous defence of his mercurial playmaker.
It was Fernandes’s third late winner of the season and a response of sorts to his critics. “I don’t understand why,” said Ten Hag of the criticism Fernandes has received, with former players in the media suggesting he should be stripped of the captaincy. “Everyone has their mistakes, no one is perfect. But always when he plays he gives energy.
