Nottingham Forest Denies Targeting Bruno Fernandes in FA Cup Clash
During last night’s intense FA Cup clash between Nottingham Forest and Manchester United, tensions were high as both teams fought for a spot in the quarter-finals. However, Nottingham Forest has responded to accusations from Ajax manager Erik ten Hag that they deliberately targeted United’s star player, Bruno Fernandes.
The match ended with a morale-boosting victory for United, thanks to a late goal from Casemiro. This win sets up an exciting quarter-final tie against Liverpool at Old Trafford. Unfortunately, the victory came at a cost, as Fernandes now faces doubts about his availability for the upcoming Manchester derby due to an injury sustained during the match.
Fernandes had already been nursing an injury but deemed himself fit enough to play. It was his expertly delivered free-kick that ultimately led to the decisive moment in a contest that seemed destined for extra time. However, after the match, United boss Nuno Espirito Santo confirmed that Fernandes’ injury was significant and accused Nottingham Forest of singling out the Portuguese international for rough treatment.
“He has a serious injury, he continued to play on Saturday [against Fulham] and then also he fought to be part of this game. He has a very high pain threshold,” Santo stated. This is not the first time Fernandes has played through injury, as Santo recalled a similar situation from last year’s match against Tottenham Hotspur, showcasing Fernandes’ leadership qualities.
Erik ten Hag, the manager of Ajax, expressed his displeasure with Nottingham Forest’s treatment of Fernandes. He claimed that there were numerous fouls on the United midfielder and that Forest players were especially tight on him whenever he had possession of the ball. However, Santo quickly denied these accusations, stating that he did not see what ten Hag saw.
“He’s a very good player. Today was the case again; he’s a good player that needs to be controlled, and I think Danilo and Yates did that, but in a fair way, not ever causing any problems or trying to injure him,” Santo explained. He praised his players for their performance in containing Fernandes without resorting to foul play.
While Fernandes faced injury concerns, he was not the only United player who played through pain. Raphael Varane, the experienced French defender, also put his body on the line to help his team secure a spot in the quarter-finals. Varane played a crucial role in neutralizing Forest’s attacking threat, which had previously overwhelmed United in a recent league meeting.
Ten Hag commended Varane for his contribution, stating, “It was not easy, especially in the back four we had serious problems. I am very happy that Rapha fought to play his game and Bruno, he had a very bad injury as well. He fought to be part of the game.” It is clear that both Fernandes and Varane demonstrated their commitment to the team by playing despite their injuries.
As the FA Cup progresses, the focus now shifts to the exciting quarter-final tie between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford. With Fernandes’ availability uncertain due to his injury, United will have to rely on their squad depth and the resilience of players like Varane to make a strong push for silverware.
In the world of football, injuries are an unfortunate reality that players must confront. However, it is heartening to see the determination and leadership qualities displayed by players like Bruno Fernandes and Raphael Varane. Their commitment to their team’s success serves as an inspiration to both their teammates and fans alike.