Tottenham interim boss Ryan Mason has admitted Bruno Fernandes gave his side a headache in Thursday’s 2-2 draw.
There were fears the Portugal star would miss the clash with a foot injury after being pictured in a boot brace in the days after Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final win over Brighton. However, the 28-year-old was declared fit to play and featured for the full 90 minutes.
It means the playmaker has not missed a single game through injury during his three-and-a-half years at United. Fernandes was a threat during the match, firing in four shots, one of which crashed off the bar in the second half.
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Mason admitted after full-time that the No.8 was a live wire in the centre of the park, saying his side needed to do more to quell his play.
Speaking to Stadium Astro, he explained: “We made a lot of mistakes defensively in the first half. We needed to protect the inside a lot more and Bruno Fernandes was causing us a lot of problems in that pocket.
“We spoke about trying to be more front-foot and aggressive with one of our defenders and creating a back four, and trying to engage them higher up the pitch.
"The second half I thought we played the whole half apart from the last five minutes in their half. I was very pleased with the reaction.”
Spurs fought back from a 2-0 half-time deficit to claim a draw after a lacklustre second period from the visitors. Goals from Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford had put United in control but Pedro Porro and Son Heung-min struck on 56 and 79 minutes respectively to earn a point for the out-of-form hosts.
Erik ten Hag relayed his frustration with missing out on the win after the game. He said: "Some thought 90 per cent was enough, we lost focus, that's why we gave balls away.
“We didn't do our jobs in positioning and you concede goals. It was the case with both goals, but more you lose control of the game.
"You have to bring it every time, although I know they are not robots. It's a tough schedule, but it can't be, we can't accept, when you are playing for Man United and wearing the shirt then you have to give it on every occasion, every game.”
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