Red Devils teammates Bruno Fernandes and Antony verbally lashed out at each other during Manchester United’s recent 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park
Erik ten Hag has poured cold water on there being any problems between Bruno Fernandes and Antony following their on-pitch bust-up during Manchester United’s draw with Crystal Palace.
The incident occurred following a misplaced pass from Antony that went straight out of play for a goal kick. A frustrated Fernandes appeared to say something in response to the error, prompting the Brazilian to react.
The £85million summer signing from Ajax verbally lashed out at his teammate and could be seen shouting “filha de puta”, which translates as “son of a b****”, across the pitch at him as they made their way back into their positions.
Ten Hag was asked to comment on the spat ahead of Man United’s huge clash with Arsenal, and played down the incident, saying the teammates are “best friends again”.
He told Sky Sports: “I think they are really OK with that.
“There is always emotion, so much is about brains, but also emotion too when the heart rules the head. Those two, and there are others when they bring that emotion to the game, it makes their performance better.
“Sometimes they cross the line with each other, but in the same minute, they are best friends again.”
Ten Hag’s Man United travel to the Emirates this Sunday, with Mikel Arteta’s Gunners top of the Premier League and very good value for their commanding position.
Antony could be seen shouting at Bruno Fernandes
Arteta is looking forward to the clash and is hoping the feel-good atmosphere around the club can spur his side forward.
“I feel the excitement around our players and our supporters,” said Arteta.
“I’m talking to the boys to understand what we’re going to experience on Sunday. For us it’s very meaningful, for our fans it’s very meaningful and we are creating special atmospheres in the stadium and we have to take advantage of that for sure.
“To be in the title race, it’s something that we have to show we can do. Words mean nothing, we have to do it on the pitch.”
Confirmed Manchester United XI vs Arsenal: McTominay replaces Casemiro
Manchester United take on Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon and Erik ten Hag has named his starting line-up.
The Reds go into the game after failing to win a 10th consecutive game in all competitions against Crystal Palace on Wednesday night. Today would be a great time to bounce back after watching Newcastle drop points in the league on Saturday.
David de Gea gets the nod between the posts, which won’t come as a surprise to anybody. He plays behind a back four consisting of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw.
In midfield, we are without Casemiro due to suspension. Ten Hag has opted to bring in McTominay instead of Fred, and the Scotland international will be joined by Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes.
Antony starts on the right, while Marcus Rashford attacks from the left and Wout Weghorst does all the dirty work inside the box.
Manchester United XI vs Arsenal: De Gea; AWB, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; McTominay, Eriksen, Fernandes; Antony, Weghorst, Rashford.
Source: mirror.co.uk; strettynews.com
