Ten Hag demands an apology from Fulham after mocking video about Fernandes

Erik ten Hag expressed his disapproval and demanded an apology from Fulham following a mocking video about Bruno Fernandes.

The Dutch manager emphasized the inappropriateness of such actions by football clubs, highlighting the incident during a press conference in anticipation of the upcoming Manchester City derby on Sunday. Ten Hag, taking a firm stand in defense of his player, underscored the importance of maintaining respect and propriety within the football community.

Additionally, Ten Hag reiterated his unwavering support for Fernandes, praising the Portuguese midfielder's passion, creativity, and significant contributions to the team. He pointed out Fernandes' status as one of the Premier League's most creative forces and expressed concern over the targeting Fernandes faces from opponents, advocating for more protective measures from referees.

On the injury front, Ten Hag provided an update regarding the team's health and availability for the highly anticipated city derby. He confirmed that the squad for Sunday's match would be the same as the one that secured a victory in the cup match against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday night. This update included positive news about Bruno Fernandes and Raphaël Varane, who both came through the midweek game without any issues, indicating their expected participation in the derby. However, Ten Hag also noted the absence of several key players due to injuries, including Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Mason Mount, Rasmus Højlund, Tyrell Malacia, Anthony Martial, Lisandro Martínez, and Luke Shaw, suggesting that the team would have to navigate the upcoming challenges without these individuals.

This situation sets the stage for a Manchester derby that not only holds significance in terms of local bragging rights but also comes amid controversies and challenges off the pitch, highlighting the complexities of managing team dynamics, player welfare, and inter-club relations in the high-stakes environment of professional football.

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