Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has spoken out after his side’s 3-1 FA Cup win over Fulham on Sunday. Bruno Fernandes bagged a brace and Marcel Sabitzer struck on a chaotic afternoon at Old Trafford. And the Cottagers seemed to lose their heads during the game, with Willian, Aleksandar Mitrovic and manager Marco Silva all seeing red.
Mitrovic put Fulham ahead in the 50th minute, with the Serbia international blasting past David De Gea from close range.
However, the tide of the contest then turned after a handball from Willian inside the box.
The Brazil international saw red, along with manager Silva, while Mitrovic was dismissed after appearing to push referee Chris Kavanagh.
Fernandes then converted from the penalty spot, sparking wild celebrations in the home end.
And Sabitzer proceeded to put the Red Devils ahead, with Fernandes scoring his second of the game in the closing stages to make the result safe.
Ten Hag was asked about the Fulham red cards after the game, but refused to elaborate by saying: “I don’t want to emphasise that. It was a great counter attack but I think everyone saw it was handball.
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Fulham boss Silva, meanwhile, admitted Mitrovic shouldn’t have pushed referee Chris Kavanagh as tempers boiled over.
“In that moment he has to control his emotions much more like all of us should,” he said.
“You have to keep the emotional balance of course. Sometimes it is not easy but it is our obligation to do it.
“It’s been a tough season in some moments for us. We know that we are Fulham, we don’t have the same importance in football as some others but it’s difficult for us to deal with some situation.”
He also insisted Fulham deserved a penalty, too.
“You need to talk about the three [possible] penalties because you are just talking about one moment,” he snapped.
“You want to talk about the other moments in the box? Why don’t you ask me about the other two moments as well?
“If you want I can talk about that moment [Willian’s handball] but I talk about the others as well.”
United goalscorer Sabitzer also spoke after the game.
And, when quizzed on the penalty decision, the United star said: “Haven’t seen it. The referee said it so we go with it.
“I’m focused on the game. I’ve seen it. It was easier for us. We had to be focused on the game and the result.”
And, on scoring his first goal for the club, the Bayern Munich loanee stated: “Massive. I’m so happy. An important one. I’m very, very happy now.”
United will now face Brighton in the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
They last won the competition back in 2016, when Louis van Gaal was manager.
And victory over Brighton would see them through to a second final this season, having won the Carabao Cup earlier in the campaign.