Ten Hag hails captain Bruno Fernandes for leading by example،
Erik ten Hag has responded to criticism of his captain Bruno Fernandes by insisting he is happy with his choice after the midfielder scored a decisive goal for Manchester United against Fulham.
Ten Hag faced calls from former players, including Roy Keane, to strip Fernandes of the captaincy following the 3-0 defeat to Manchester City.
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (US)
But the Portuguese midfielder responded with a stoppage-time goal to earn United a narrow 1-0 victory at Craven Cottage on Saturday.
“From the moment I made him captain, he did that [win games]” Ten Hag said in a post-match press conference.
“Always when he plays, he gives energy and sets an example. And you see the way he presses, the way he counter-presses. The way he recovers. He is absolutely the example and he takes responsibility all his responsibilities. time, on and off the field.
“He takes responsibility by scoring important goals, but also by always wanting to have the ball and always wanting to create. I’m happy with my captain.”
Ten Hag had to do without Marcus Rashford against Fulham after the England striker was ruled out with injury.
The Dutchman branded Rashford’s decision to attend a party after the defeat to City as “unacceptable” on Friday, but insisted the 26-year-old would have started against Fulham if he had not failed to a late fitness test.
“He had some complaints after practice,” Ten Hag said. “He traveled with us but today the complaints were such that he couldn’t start. It was a risk to start him because we might lose him in several weeks.
“So we didn’t want to take that risk because we still have a lot of important games after today.”
