Erik ten Hag hails 'brilliant' Bruno Fernandes for hitting right notes in Manchester derby


Andy Mitten
  • English
  • Arabic

So impressed was Erik ten Hag with the performance of Bruno Fernandes in Saturday’s Manchester derby that he singled him out for special praise. Fernandes is captain when Harry Maguire doesn’t start and, unusually, he was used on the right.

“The idea is with Bruno on the right wing and especially in defending,” Ten Hag said of the shift in tactics. “We defended as usual, but in possession he had a role to come in between the lines to bring an extra player there and bring the opponent problems and create hesitation and confusion. I thought he played that role brilliantly.

“The rest of the team adapted well to the situation and we had really good breaks by finding the free man. Bruno was an important factor in that role and important in the pressing as well. He was my man of the match, definitely.”

Anthony Martial did not have as productive an afternoon as Fernandes and was brought off at half time.

“I hoped to avoid him getting injured but he was complaining,” said Ten Hag, who has now overseen nine consecutive United victories. “That’s why he also didn’t train in the week and was a question mark [for the derby].

“We decided – and he decided as well – to start. He begged to start. I knew the start would be so important in this game and he is really good at pressing and he is a really big element in our pressing.”

By not being fully fit, Martial did not press as well as he had done in previous Manchester derbies.

“I needed to re-evaluate at half-time as you saw he was not capable to go 100 per cent and this is what you need,” explained Ten Hag. “And also to avoid him getting injured so we took him off but it also had a negative impact on our game after half-time.”

Man United 2 Man City 1: Player ratings

Martial might not be ready to play in United’s next game at Crystal Palace on Wednesday, but it could provide an opportunity to new loan signing Wout Weghorst.

“I have to think about that,” said Ten Hag of whether he will use the Dutch striker. “First to settle down after this game, make the right conclusions and then we will make a clear plan for Palace.

“Of course I know a lot about Palace – we faced them also in pre-season and know how their team is – but the total plan I don’t have now. So from this point on we can construct the plan and prepare the team in the right way.”

United’s fixture schedule is relentless, with ten games between January 3 and February 4 – and that after the intense round of festive fixtures. United have won every game so far, with Saturday’s derby win the most significant. Ten Hag is determined to enjoy it.

“I think every win you have to celebrate,” he said. “You work so hard for such momentum and every win is so great in top football. If can’t celebrate you kill the energy as well. So we have to celebrate, but after it we have to settle down after 24 hours and move on to the next game.

Wout Weghorst of the Netherlands, centre, celebrates after scoring his side's second goal in the World Cup quarter-final against Argentina at Lusail Stadium, Qatar, on December 10, 2022. The forward has joined Manchester United on loan. AP
Wout Weghorst of the Netherlands, centre, celebrates after scoring his side's second goal in the World Cup quarter-final against Argentina at Lusail Stadium, Qatar, on December 10, 2022. The forward has joined Manchester United on loan. AP

“You have to get in the right rhythm every third day and we have to deliver. The players have to get in the right rhythm from a physical point of view but also mentally – be ready for the next game.”

United’s players enjoyed their brief time off after the derby – though the support staff were straight into working on the Palace game. United’s last game at Selhurst Park was the final game of the 2021-22 season. United were dreadful and lost 1-0. Ten Hag was in the crowd to see it – and to see the size of the job ahead.

The team that day was David De Gea, Alex Telles, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Diogo Dalot, Scott McTominay, Fred, Anthony Elanga, Hannibal Mejbri, Fernandes, and Edinson Cavani. Juan Mata, Alejandro Garnacho and Shola Shoretire came on as substitutes. United were in the middle of losing seven consecutive away league games – a run that lasted until they defeated Southampton in August this season.

Manchester United’s turnaround has been significant since. If Ten Hag’s team avenge that loss at Crystal Palace, they’ll move up to second in the Premier League behind Arsenal – ahead of Sunday’s game against the league leaders.

Tips%20for%20holiday%20homeowners
%3Cp%3EThere%20are%20several%20factors%20for%20landlords%20to%20consider%20when%20preparing%20to%20establish%20a%20holiday%20home%3A%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cstrong%3ERevenue%20potential%20of%20the%20unit%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20location%2C%20view%20and%20size%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cstrong%3EDesign%3A%20furnished%20or%20unfurnished.%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Is%20the%20design%20up%20to%20standard%2C%20while%20being%20catchy%20at%20the%20same%20time%3F%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cstrong%3EBusiness%20model%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20will%20it%20be%20managed%20by%20a%20professional%20operator%20or%20directly%20by%20the%20owner%2C%20how%20often%20does%20the%20owner%20wants%20to%20use%20it%20for%20personal%20reasons%3F%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cstrong%3EQuality%20of%20the%20operator%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20guest%20reviews%2C%20customer%20experience%20management%2C%20application%20of%20technology%2C%20average%20utilisation%2C%20scope%20of%20services%20rendered%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cem%3ESource%3A%20Adam%20Nowak%2C%20managing%20director%20of%20Ultimate%20Stay%20Vacation%20Homes%20Rental%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
F1 The Movie

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

Emergency phone numbers in the UAE

Estijaba – 8001717 –  number to call to request coronavirus testing

Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111

Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre

Emirates airline – 600555555

Etihad Airways – 600555666

Ambulance – 998

Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The biog

Family: Parents and four sisters

Education: Bachelor’s degree in business management and marketing at American University of Sharjah

A self-confessed foodie, she enjoys trying out new cuisines, her current favourite is the poke superfood bowls

Likes reading: autobiographies and fiction

Favourite holiday destination: Italy

Posts information about challenges, events, runs in other emirates on the group's Instagram account @Anagowrunning

Has created a database of Emirati and GCC sportspeople on Instagram @abeermk, highlight: Athletes

Apart from training, also talks to women about nutrition, healthy lifestyle, diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure

Results

2pm: Handicap Dh 90,000 1,800m; Winner: Majestic Thunder, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).

2.30pm: Handicap Dh120,000 1,950m; Winner: Just A Penny, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson.

3pm: Handicap Dh105,000 1,600m; Winner: Native Appeal, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.

3.30pm: Jebel Ali Classic Conditions Dh300,000 1,400m; Winner: Thegreatcollection, Adrie de Vries, Doug Watson.

4pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,600m; Winner: Oktalgano, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer.

4.30pm: Conditions Dh250,000 1,400m; Winner: Madame Ellingtina, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.

5pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,600m; Winner: Mystery Land, Fabrice Veron, Helal Al Alawi.

5.30pm: Handicap Dh85,000 1,000m; Winner: Shanaghai City, Jesus Rosales, Rashed Bouresly.

2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups

Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.

Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.

Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.

Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.

Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.

Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.

Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.

Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.

The five pillars of Islam
The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
Gothia Cup 2025

4,872 matches 

1,942 teams

116 pitches

76 nations

26 UAE teams

15 Lebanese teams

2 Kuwaiti teams

Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

Ferrari 12Cilindri specs

Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12

Power: 819hp

Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm

Price: From Dh1,700,000

Available: Now

The Meg
Director: Jon Turteltaub
Starring:   
Two stars

Three ways to get a gratitude glow

By committing to at least one of these daily, you can bring more gratitude into your life, says Ong.

  • During your morning skincare routine, name five things you are thankful for about yourself.
  • As you finish your skincare routine, look yourself in the eye and speak an affirmation, such as: “I am grateful for every part of me, including my ability to take care of my skin.”
  • In the evening, take some deep breaths, notice how your skin feels, and listen for what your skin is grateful for.
The%C2%A0specs%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dual%20synchronous%20electric%20motors%20%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E646hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E830Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ETwo-speed%20auto%20(rear%20axle)%3B%20single-speed%20auto%20(front)%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh552%2C311%3B%20Dh660%2C408%20(as%20tested)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Updated: January 17, 2023, 1:00 PM`