Bruno Fernandes defends Erik ten Hag after Manchester United defeat Manchester City to win FA Cup

An emotional Bruno Fernandes said Erik ten Hag ‘deserved’ to get his hands on the FA Cup after Manchester United’s 2-1 victory over Manchester City, insisting his manager had been ‘under too much scrutiny’.

First-half goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo stunned the holders City, with United out for revenge after coming out second best in last year’s all-Manchester affair at Wembley.

Erling Haaland rattled the crossbar before second-half substitute Jeremy Doku halved the deficit in the 87th minute, but it was too little, too late, and United held firm to win the competition for a 13th time – securing the club a spot in next year’s Europa League.

Speculation over Ten Hag’s future dominated the pre-match headlines and the Red Devils appeared to be fighting for their manager in a spirited first-half performance, 12 months on from their painful 2-1 defeat at the stadium.

Widespread reports indicate that Ten Hag will be relieved of his duties regardless of the result and the Dutchman refused to discuss his future amidst United’s celebrations.

Asked whether the victory will have been extra special for Ten Hag, United captain Fernandes told BBC Sport: ‘It’s special for everyone.

‘Obviously we know the manager is under too much scrutiny but it’s part of being at Manchester United. Players, staff, we all know that we’re going to be under this.

‘This manager is experienced enough and he knows. He deserves also. Everyone today, the staff, the backroom, everyone, the football players, we all deserve this.’

A tearful Fernandes was relieved and overjoyed to be on the winning team at Wembley after being forced to watch City’s players lift the trophy just 12 months ago.

‘Obviously it’s a long season. It was difficult. It was our last chance to get something positive from the season,’ the Portugal midfielder added.

‘We’ve been here last year and we were not good enough to go to the stands and lift the trophy, we had to see them go and do that. This season it’s the other way around.

‘We played a great team, they have great quality, great players, a great manager. We had to suffer, we had to sacrifice, but we had to produce also some quality in the game and we did great things.’

United academy graduate Mainoo was arguably the standout player on the pitch and scored the decisive goal, directing home an exquiste pass from Fernandes to double his side’s lead shortly before the half-time break.

‘He’s really good. He’s such a quality player,’ Fernandes said of Mainoo.

‘To see the composure on the finishing that he has.

‘But part of the DNA of this club is the young players coming through the academy and once more, on the biggest stage of the world, they show it again.’

Fernandes claimed United’s rapturous support from the sidelines gave the players a ‘big push’ to secure an unlikely victory.

‘It would mean nothing if we didn’t get the result today so congratulations to everyone in the stands, the players, also the fans. They gave us a big, big push today,’ he continued.

‘Of course [there will be a big party], we have to celebrate. We have something to celebrate so we have to enjoy it.’

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