Manchester United boss Erik Ten Hag defends Bruno Fernandes after display at Liverpool – ‘Everyone makes mistakes’

Fernandes appeared to push a referee’s assistant in the closing stages of the match at Anfield, and cut a frustrated figure for much of the second-half as his team shipped an astonishing six goals.

Fernandes was also criticised for appearing to question the decision to substitute Marcus Rashford in the 85th minute, and there were calls from some that the Portuguese should be stripped of his captain’s armband as a result.

However, Ten Hag dismissed these issues and instead praised the Portuguese midfielder for his performances this campaign.

“He is playing a brilliant season,” the United boss said.

“He has played a big role in us being where we are. Everyone makes mistakes and we learn. I have to learn and he will as well.

“He is intelligent. I’m really pleased he is our player and he is captain when Harry [Maguire] is not playing.”

Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville had called Fernandes “embarrassing,” while ex-Blackburn forward Chris Sutton said that the club had players “far better qualified to be captain.”

The 7-0 humbling equalled United’s worst-ever result, and Ten Hag admitted his side lost their heads during an “unprofessional” display.

Rashford was another to defend his colleague, saying: “I love playing with Bruno. I don’t have anything negative to say.

“Nobody is perfect. Sometimes you want to win so bad you end up doing things a little out of character. But I 100% support Bruno and am behind him.

“As a team we have to support him because he’s a fantastic player. We wouldn’t be in the position we are in if he wasn’t playing games for us.”

The defeat saw United remain in third place in the Premier League, and while they are almost certainly out of the title race, they won the EFL Cup last month, their first trophy under Ten Hag.