‘Unlucky’ that Bruno Fernandes doesn’t have a disciplinary problem, stresses Ten Hag | Manchester United

Erik ten Hag has denied that Manchester United had a discipline problem after Bruno Fernandes received a second red card in consecutive games against Porto on Thursday, following his red card against Tottenham last Sunday, eventually overturned by the Football Association on appeal became.

Fernandes’ sending off in the 3-0 defeat to Spurs was the result of a straight red card. United also received five yellow cards during the game at Old Trafford, two more were shown to their captain in his home country of Portugal in midweek, each for a high boot, the second for centre-back Nehuén Pérez when Fernandes tried to narrowly hit a cross on Porto’s goal when United were 3-2 down in a Europa League game, it ended in a 3-3 draw thanks to a stoppage-time header from Harry Maguire.

“The (red) card (against Spurs) is saved for Bruno. So they admit there was a mistake on Sunday and I would say he was very unlucky against Porto,” Ten Hag said. “He gave everything to score a goal. He was in the right place and the player came from the blind side and he didn’t see him. So I wouldn’t call it undisciplined.”

Goals from Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Højlund gave United an early two-goal lead at the Estádio do Dragão, but they conceded two goals within seven minutes of the first half, to Pepê and Samu. Ten Hag was asked if this demonstrated a lack of discipline on the part of the structure. “We definitely have to improve that,” said the manager. “But we can also say that we are very disciplined, for example in our positioning in the first 25 minutes and how we created chances at the right moment. We sped up the game. So not only would I call it undisciplined, but we can definitely improve. So yeah, we’ll definitely work on it.”

United conceded a second goal from Samu five minutes into the second half before substitute Maguire salvaged a point late on. The defender then explained that the slippage of a two-goal lead was due to a mentality problem within the team. “What is the mental problem?” Ten Hag said. “There is a range, a spectrum of topics and you have to address it properly. Therefore, this team is convinced that they will not give up. So they have a broad positive mentality and a strong mentality. But in some other parts they need to step up.”

United play at Aston Villa on Sunday with Ten Hag’s job still under scrutiny. He believes the team needs time to develop and gave the example of new signing Manuel Ugarte, who came off the bench against Porto. “So we wanted to sign the No. 6 position for this season, but he needs time to integrate,” Ten Hag said of Ugarte. “I know in top-level football you don’t get time, you have to perform straight away, but that’s not always realistic. He has to get used to our game model, to his teammates, to the intensity of the Premier League.

“We have other positions where we need time. But I am very happy about the return of Rasmus Højlund. We couldn’t play him in the first two months of the season. Hopefully he’s fit now. His fitness level is constantly improving and if he has a consistent fit season that will help us.

“There are definitely other areas where we will improve. And then we’ll see where we end up at the end of the season.” Ten Hag brushed aside questions about his position at the club. “I don’t think about topics like that because it’s not an issue,” said the 54-year-old. “We are in this together. The personal responsibility, the leadership, the team, the employees.”

Kobbie Mainoo did not travel to Porto due to injury and remains doubtful for the trip to Villa Park. “We have to wait and see if he can play on Sunday,” Ten Hag said. “If he is fit enough to start or sit on the bench.”