Manchester United attacking midfielder Bruno Fernandes has hailed Erik ten Hag’s impact at the club. He praised the manager’s handling of their high-profile stars.
The first big decision from the Dutch manager came with the dropping of Cristiano Ronaldo. The former Ajax coach did not give the Portuguese star any preferential treatment.
Ten Hag also showed how decisive he could be with Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho.
When Rashford came late to a team meeting after oversleeping, Ten Hag benched him for their game against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Ten Hag also sent Sancho away to work on himself before allowing him to rejoin the squad earlier this month.
“I think he first arrived and we went on tour and the training sessions that we had and here after that and everything, he demands, he demands from people and you do it or you won’t play,” Fernandes said to Rio Ferdinand on BT Sport.
“So everybody was a little like in the beginning: ‘whoa, he will do that or not? If a big player doesn’t do what he wants he will pull him out or not?’ And he did it. He did it many times. He did it with Cristiano [Ronaldo], he did it with Jadon [Sancho], Marcus [Rashford] also.
“In the big moments like Marcus was probably in the best form against Wolves, he did something wrong, the manager pulled him out and everyone was like ‘whoa’.”
Fernandes showed he was a fan of the boss’ disciplined style, comparing it to fatherhood. He said as a father or manager, you need to make rules for the children (players) in your house (club). If you don’t, they’ll be the owners.
He was speaking ahead of tonight’s Europa League play-off tie against Barcelona. They drew the first leg 2-2 at Spotify Camp Nou.
Ten Hag has said that United have to finish the job they have started at Old Trafford. The in-form Premier League club will fancy their chances against the Catalans.
