Ten Hag, Bruno Fernandes Reacts To Man United Late 1-0 Premier League Win Against Fulham

Bruno Fernandes struck late on in injury time as Manchester United claimed a very much needed Premier League 1-0 win away at Fulham on Saturday afternoon.

The priceless victory, somewhat relieved a bit of the pressure on manager Erik ten Hag's shoulders, as United bounced back from a devastating back-to-back 3-0 losses to rivals Man City, and Newcastle at Old Trafford over the past week which left the Dutch manager facing his biggest crisis since taking over in the summer of 2022. 

In yet another game, Ten Hag opted for a centre-back partnership of Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans, while Raphael Varane was on the bench and Victor Lindelof missed the match due to illness.

The big story before kick-off was around Marcus Rashford after he was left out of the Red Devil's matchday squad. 

The England striker was forced to apologise to Ten Hag after attending a nightclub party few hours after his abysmal performance in the woeful derby defeat to Man City.

But United explained that Rashford's absence at Craven Cottage was due to injury after taking a “heavy knock” in training.

United had previously thought that they'd scored an opener in just the 8th minute as Scott McTominay converted at the back post, but following a lengthy VAR check which adjudged Harry Maguire to be offside and interfering with play despite the defender failing to make contact with Christian Eriksen's free-kick in the build-up.

 

In a largely uneventful game at Craven Cottage, both sides then traded chances from distance throughout but failed to convert.

The Red Devils were indebted to goalkeeper Andre Onana, who made two quickfire saves to deny Harry Wilson and Joao Palhinha just after the hour mark as Marco Silva's side looked to take the initiative.

That was as close as the home side came, however, and it was the away side's captain Fernandes who became the hero producing some decisive moment in the 91st minute.

The Portuguese midfielder chopped inside two Fulham defenders, capitalising on a poor clearance by compatriot João Palhinha before unleashing a low strike into the bottom corner from just outside the penalty area, as Bernd Leno tried in vain to keep it out.

Bruno Fernandes, speaking to TNT Sports after the game says:

“Everyone knows the situation is not the best, we lost the last two games and it wasn’t the performances we wanted to give or the results but today it was a different game.

“We had to give something different and we delivered. We got the three points and that’s the most important thing.

“It’s about the team what everyone does on the pitch. Everyone has to sacrifice, run, work harder. Even on the goal, you could see everyone working hard to get the ball and that’s what makes the goal.

“It was a good performance. We could create more chances but we still had good chances. First half, we had control of the game, second half was a more divided game but I think the biggest chances were always on our side and I think we deserved the win.

“It has to build confidence but we have to understand that we can still do more. Understand now that it is about getting results every time we play.

“Champions League is important for us to get three points. Difficult game away this week but we are Man Utd and we have to win every game.”

Man United have now scored two 90th-minute winning goals in the Premier League this season (also McTominay vs Brentford), as many as they scored across the previous two seasons combined.

Ten Hag admitted his side must be more creative in the final third but was happy with the "spirit" demonstrated by his side.

"It was a solid performance, I am pleased, especially with the spirit in the team.

"I was pleased with the way we pressed. Fulham play very decent football from the back but we never allowed them to play from the back.

"It's clear we have to create more in the box but the composure on the ball was a step up."

Asked whether Fernandes' late winner, and the jubilant celebrations that followed show the players still supports him, Ten Hag said: "I knew that and we've seen it again.

"It's a good dressing room and they fight for each other. They know what the standards are. At Manchester United, they have to win every game. That is the attitude you need when you play for this club."

United now have a pivotal Champions League match at FC Copenhagen on Wednesday night which could determine their fate in the competition this season.