‘I did not see what Erik saw’ Nottingham Forest boss bats off Bruno Fernandes claim as Andy Cole tells Man United who to sign next

With their victory over Nottingham Forest on Wednesday, Manchester United advanced to the FA Cup quarterfinals, where they will play Liverpool. However, the most noteworthy event of the day occurred after full time.

Captain Bruno Fernandes was observed hobbling out of the stadium following full time, and Erik ten Hag reported that players from Forest were going after him. He had taken a knock against Fulham on Saturday, so he was doubtful for the match.

Fulham’s social media staff posted a mocking TikTok video in which the 29-year-old is seen falling after a tackle, staying down, and then rapidly jumping back up to resume the attacking phase. United has taken issue with this decision.

Ten Hag demands an apology from Fulham, but they have not yet responded to United’s disapproval. However, Nuno Espirito Santo, the manager of Forest, has denied rumors that his team was instructed to be excessively hard on Fernandes during Wednesday’s FA Cup match.

‘I did not see what Erik saw’

Fernandes, yet to miss a United game through injury, played the full 90 minutes. Ten Hag said after full-time: “You saw that Forest were targeting him. I don’t say what it is, but it was a serious injury.

“He has a serious injury, he continued to play on Saturday and then also he fought to be part of this game. He has a very high pain threshold.”

BBC Sport put the comments before Forest manager Santo, to which he replied: “I don’t think so, I didn’t see what Erik saw. He (Fernandes) is a very good player. He needs to be controlled. We did that in a fair way.”

MEN Sport says:Ten Hag will expect opposition players to try and pin down Fernandes, but his comments suggest that Forest took it a step further. Such claims need substantial evidence to be justified.

Fernandes hobbling out of the City Ground is not sufficient proof, given he went into the game on the back of a knock. Any absence from Sunday’s Manchester derby will be down to the fact he played a full match just four days after sustaining his problem, not the roughness of Forest players.

Cole: United should sign Toney

Former striker Andy Cole says United should try and capture Ivan Toney with the Brentford striker likely to leave his employers this summer. Cole says such a move would depend on United’s summer transfer priorities.

“It all depends on what the transfer fee will be but for me personally, I believe Ivan would be a good signing for Manchester United if they make a move for him and he will definitely help [Rasmus] Hojlund.”

MEN Sport says:It is not thought likely that United would entertain another expensive striker signing having splashed out £72m on Hojlund last August. With Arsenal and perhaps Chelsea in the race, his price tag will likely inflate which United cannot afford.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is battling Financial Fair Play constraints this summer with other areas of the squad needing more immediate attention, namely at centre-back.