Erik ten Hag has defended captain Bruno Fernandes and insisted he is not indisciplined despite a second red card in five days against Porto last night.
The Portugal midfielder was sent-off against Tottenham on Sunday – although it was later rescinded on appeal – and was also dismissed late on last night as United relinquished a two-goal lead and had to rely on a stoppage-time header from Harry Maguire to salvage a 3-3 draw in their second Europa League outing.
Having been booked in the first half at the Estadio do Dragao for a high boot, Fernandes then attempted to reach a cross from the left-wing but left his foot dangling dangerously high again, catching Porto defender Nehuen Perez on the side of the head.
He was duly dismissed but Ten Hag does not believe there is an issue to address.
He said: “The red card was overturned for Bruno so it was acknowledged it was a mistake on Sunday [against Tottenham]. This was very unlucky [in Porto] and he gave everything to make a goal.
“He was in the right moment, in the right spot but he came on his blind side. So I wouldn’t address this as indiscipline.”
Goals from Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund put the visitors in control but once Pepe pulled one back for Porto, there was a sense United’s soft underbelly would again be exposed and so it proved as Samu Omorodion netted twice to turn the game around.
A fine solo effort from Marcus 👌#MUFC || #UEL
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 4, 2024
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The team has a strong mentality – Ten Hag
Asked if United had a mental issue that means when they concede one they remain vulnerable to shipping another, Ten Hag said: “What is a mental issue? So that is a range, a spectrum of topics and you have to address it right.
“So this team has belief, they don’t give up that. In that range of mentality, they have a strong mentality but, in some other parts, they have to step up. If you want to win trophies, in some areas, we have to improve.”
Ten Hag, who is now in his third season at Old Trafford, reiterated his demand for time in which to build a team, and pointed at new signing Manuel Ugarte as an example of a player who needs longer to settle.
Ugarte was dropped last night after a poor performance against Spurs at the weekend.
Erik was asked whether Kobbie will be fit to face Aston Villa on Sunday 👇#MUFC || #PL
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 4, 2024
Ten Hag, who takes his side to Aston Villa on Sunday, said: “We are in there together, the ownership, the leadership team, the staff I appointed, the new staff. We bought again new, young players and we have to integrate [them].
“Like Ugarte, the number six position was absolutely one of the positions we wanted to sign this season but he needs time to integrate. You know in top football, you don’t get time, you have to perform immediately but that’s not always realistic. He has to get used to our game model, to his team-mates, to the intensity of the Premier League. So it needs time.”
Happy to have Hojlund back
He added: “I’m very pleased with the return of Rasmus Hojlund. I think he had a good return but we couldn’t play him in the first two months of the season. Hopefully, he is now fit and he keeps improving in his fitness levels. He also has to be consistently fit this season and that will help us.
“So there are more areas where we will improve, definitely, and then this team can grow and improve and then we’ll see where we are at the end of the season.”
United are hoping to have England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo back for the trip to Villa Park after the injury he sustained against Tottenham kept him out of the squad last night. There is also a doubt around the fitness of Mason Mount.
