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Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag heaps more misery on Harry Maguire with Bruno Fernandes verdict
Bruno Fernandes was seen wearing a protective boot after Manchester United beat Brighton to reach the FA Cup final, but played through the pain barrier against Tottenham.
Spurs v Man Utd: Pictures
Erik ten Hag says Bruno Fernandes sets the perfect example of what he wants from his Manchester United players after playing through the pain barrier against Spurs. The United captain had been touch and go for the top four battle in north London after suffering an ankle injury against Brighton at Wembley last weekend.
The Portugal star, who will lead United out at Old Trafford against Aston Villa on Sunday, had even been pictured wearing a protective boot as a precautionary measure.
Yet Ten Hag insisted Fernandes’s “play at all costs” attitude should act as inspiration for his team-mates for what is left of the season and beyond. “It was tough and big compliment on Bruno he absolutely doesn’t want to miss this game and every game,” said the United boss.
“He is the example that you have to suffer and you have to sacrifice when you want to play at top level to achieve something. Once again he showed there how great captain he is and how he is taking responsiblity and even though he is not 100 per cent fit he was involved in this game and by the same team he can be an inspiration.”
Fernandes has led the team 36 times this season compared to just 13 for club captain Harry Maguire who missed the fixture with what was described as a “training injury”.
And with the England defender’s future looking increasingly likely to be away from Old Trafford this season, Fernandes could be confirmed as the new club captain in the summer.
Ten Hag’s side face another side bidding for European football in the form of Unai Emery’s resurgent Aston Villa and Ten Hag has been boosted by the return from injury of Alejandro Garnacho.
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The Argentina international will not feature against Villa but is set to return to training on Saturday following a foot injury that has kept him out since the middle of last month.
“He will return to team training and we will see when he can return to training with the team totally,” said the United manager who confirmed Garnacho would not be taking part in the upcoming Under-20 World Cup.