In Short
- Fernandes was under fire for his antics in the 7-0 loss to Liverpool
- Ten Hag said emotion is a weapon of Fernandes, but sometimes it can be too strong
- Ten Hag said they would have to give their best performance to beat the Saints
By India Today Sports DeskManchester United manager Erik ten Hag has urged Bruno Fernandes to show more control over his emotions and channel them in the right way.
Fernandes was slammed for his antics in the 7-0 loss to Liverpool last weekend but put in a good shift against Real Betis in the Europa League on Thursday. The Portuguese midfielder scored a goal and put in an assist as United defeated Betis 4-1.
Speaking to the reporters on Friday, as quoted by Reuters, Ten Hag said Fernandes showed big personality with his performance in the Europa League.
The Dutch tactician said emotion is a weapon of Fernandes, but sometimes it can be too strong and urged to him control it better.
“I think he showed big personality by giving this performance on Thursday, leading the team, so it was brilliant,” Ten Hag told reporters ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash against relegation-threatened Southampton.
“His emotion is his weapon but sometimes it’s too strong and, yes, of course I help him, I support him and I give him feedback. Sometimes he has to show more to control emotions.”
“He has to find the balance when to use the right show as a tool and when to use emotion as a tool. That is the next step. It is a nice development point for him and when he does it, he will be an even better player.”
Ten Hag provided an update on Christian Eriksen and said the midfielder will play for United before the end of the season.
“I think he will play, yeah, definitely,” Ten Hag said. “I can’t tell now an expectation, but I think his progress in the rehab is okay, is going according to plan.
“So we will definitely see him but not before the international break.”
United face Southampton in the Premier League next and Ten Hag said they would have to give their best performance to beat the Saints.
“At the bottom it’s very close, so they will be front foot, they will be aggressive, they will do everything they can do to collect points here,” the Dutchman said.
“So, we have to be 100% and give the best performance to beat them.”
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