Erik ten Hag hails ‘inspirational’ Manchester United stand-in captain Bruno Fernandes

LONDON – Erik ten Hag has urged his Manchester United players to follow the example of stand-in skipper Bruno Fernandes to further embed a winning culture within the club.

The midfielder wore a protective boot after injuring his ankle during United’s FA Cup semi-final win against Brighton & Hove Albion at Wembley last Sunday, but recovered to lead the side in

Thursday’s 2-2 Premier League draw with Tottenham Hotspur.

He even had an assist for Marcus Rashford’s goal.

The result left fourth-placed United six points ahead of Spurs (54) – with two games in hand – in the race to qualify for the Champions League next season.

Ten Hag’s men take on Aston Villa, who have the same points tally and number of games played as Spurs, in a league clash at Old Trafford on Sunday.

The United boss said on Friday that his players could all learn a lesson from the attitude of Fernandes, after accusing some of them of putting in only “90 per cent” as they allowed Spurs to fight back from two goals down.

“Big compliment on Bruno. He absolutely doesn’t want to miss the (Spurs) game and did everything to get fit,” he said.

“I think he is the example, and that you have to suffer and you have to sacrifice when you want to play on the top level.

“Once again he showed there how great a captain he is, how he has taken responsibility, even when he is not 100 per cent fit.

“Hopefully the team can... not learn, but see him as an inspiration and do the same.”

United’s draw with Spurs was the second time in two weeks they had squandered a two-goal lead, following their collapse against Sevilla in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final.

They subsequently slumped to a 3-0 defeat in the return leg in Spain to end their hopes of European silverware.

United, who could be without out-of-favour captain Harry Maguire on Sunday due to injury, will face a tough opponent in Villa, who have won eight and drawn two of their last 10 league matches.

Finishing in the top four is not out of the question for Unai Emery’s men but the manager, who was appointed in October, insisted that it could be “impossible”.

He said: “We escaped the bottom, we got top 10 and now the European places is the last step but it is more difficult...

“Europe could be Champions League, Europa League or Europa Conference League.

“Champions League is very, very difficult, maybe impossible.”

Boubacar Kamara and Leon Bailey remain out injured, while Matty Cash and Philippe Coutinho could soon be back.

In other United news, Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani and British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe made their third and final offers to buy the club on Friday.

The duo are the main contenders to buy United from the Glazer family.

While Sheikh Jassim’s latest offer is reported to be over £5 billion (S$8.38 billion), the size of Ratcliffe’s bid is not known.

Sources said the former’s bid for 100 per cent control of the club comes with the promise of significant additional funding for transfers and infrastructure.

The spending would include redeveloping United’s outdated Old Trafford stadium or building a new ground, along with overhauling the club’s training facilities.

Sheikh Jassim’s bid also promises to erase United’s US$620 million (S$827 million) debt.

Ineos chemical company founder Ratcliffe reportedly wants to purchase a controlling stake of more than 50 per cent.

That would allow United’s executive co-chairmen Joel and Avram Glazer to remain shareholders with a 20 per cent stake, which has raised concerns among a fan base tired of their controversial reign. Another protest is planned before the Villa game on Sunday.

The Glazers reportedly want £6 billion before they agree to sell, and it remains to be seen how the process will pan out over the next week. AFP, REUTERS