ERIK TEN HAG is holding out hope that Bruno Fernandes WILL be fit for Manchester United’s showdown with Tottenham.
With both clubs vying for a top four spot, Fernandes will be key to the Red Devils chances of victory at The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Fernandes hobbled out of Wembley with an ankle injury after being subbed in extra-time during their semi-final win against Brighton on Sunday.
The alarm was then raised when his wife posted a picture of the Portuguese ace with his foot bandaged up and a protective boot and crutches next to him.
But United boss Ten Hag has calmed fears that signified a major problem and said it was just precautionary and he could still be fit for Thursday night’s encounter.
Ten Hag said: “It’s more often with players that we protect them. It is about prevention, but it has to settle down.
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“We have seen he played a full game and it happened in the first half. But tomorrow comes quick and we have to see what is possible. We don’t know yet. It is a question mark.”
Fernandes scored in the home league fixture against Spurs as United won 2-0.
It was a game where Spurs and England record goalscorer Harry Kane was kept quiet.
Now Ten Hag says they have a plan to do the same again in North London.
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He said: “It’s quite clear, his impact on the game for Spurs and we have a plan for that.
“In the home game we did very well, so for this game we need a very good plan as well.
“You have to defend as a team, he’s a clever player, don’t allow him to come into the situations, he can have a big impact on the game.”
United bounced back from a 3-0 thumping in Seville to exit the Europa League with that penalty shoot-out victory over Brighton to reach the FA Cup Final.
Now Ten Hag has warned that they have to prepare for the same with Spurs ‘mad’ after their 6-1 humbling to Newcastle at St James’ Park.
He said: “It’s obvious they had a really bad defeat, of course, they are mad, that can be fuel for bounce backing. It’s about us, an opponent can never be more hungry than us.
“That is how we have to prepare the game and make sure we go front foot, be dominant and dictate the game.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
