Ten Hag still hopeful of having playmaker Fernandes for Tottenham clash

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is still hopeful that playmaker Bruno Fernandes can make it for Thursday’s Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur.

Fernandes suffered an ankle injury in United’s FA Cup semi-final win over Brighton at Wembley on Sunday, and was pictured with his foot in a protective boot next to a set of crutches.

Ten Hag has, however, not ruled out the midfielder from the trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and will give the Portugal star every chance to be fit.

“We have to see how Bruno Fernandes is, we don’t know yet,” said Ten Hag on Wednesday.

“It is more often that players be protected for prevention but it has to settle. You have seen he played a full game and it happened in the first half. Tomorrow (Thursday) is quick but we have to see from now what is possible.”

Fernandes was no longer wearing the protective boot when he arrived at the training ground on Wednesday, but he was still walking with a slight limp.

Losing their playmaker would be a major blow for United as they look to cement a top-four place and Champions League qualification over the next two games.

They are currently in fourth place on the table, six points ahead of Tottenham in sixth with two games in hand.

On Sunday, they host fifth-placed Aston Villa and Ten Hag does not need reminding how important it will be to access the Champions League via the Premier League top four after crashing out of the Europa League in Seville last week.