Erik ten Hag has said Manchester United could be up for a backlash from “mad” Tottenham Hotspur players in Thursday’s Premier League clash after the 6-1 thrashing Stellini’s men received from Newcastle on Sunday and were 5-0 down inside 21 minutes at St James’ Park.
The result resulted in the immediate sacking of caretaker boss Cristian Stellini while the players offered to reimburse the travelling fans. Ten Hag believes the thrashing by Newcastle could trigger off a backlash by Spurs when he takes his team to north London this Thursday.
“It’s obvious that they had a really bad defeat and they are mad,” Ten Hag told a news conference on Wednesday.
“That can be fuel for bounce back, yeah, but I said it is about us. An opponent can never be more hungry than us and that is how we have to prepare for the game, to be ready to go on the front foot.”
Ten Hag is hopeful that Bruno Fernandes would be available despite the midfielder suffering an ankle injury during the FA Cup semifinal against Brighton on Sunday. The Portuguese was seen on crutches and a protective boot but Ten Hag said there is still a chance he could feature at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
“We have to see how Bruno Fernandes is, we don’t know yet, he is a question mark,” Ten Hag added.
“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. It is a quick [turnaround] but we have to see from now what is possible.”