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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Fulham mocked Fernandes on social media</li><li>Outraged Ten Hag demanded apology</li><li>Silva understands counterpart's fury</li></ul>

‘I can understand’ - Fulham boss Marco Silva throws support behind Erik ten Hag amid Bruno Fernandes social media storm as he brands Man Utd star ‘a top professional’

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Fulham's social media account posted a video that mocked Fernandes for going down following a tackle from Sasa Lukic, pleading for a free-kick and then getting up to continue the match during last week's Premier League clash between the two teams at Old Trafford. United <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/man-utd-response-fulham-tiktok-video-bruno-fernandes-social-media-dive-storm-injury/blt4effb00527310912" target="_blank">issued a statement in response</a> to the video and <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/erik-ten-hag-demands-fulham-apologise-trolling-bruno-fernandes-tiktok-man-utd/blt63ba42026c75740d" target="_blank">Ten Hag subsequently demanded an apology from the Cottagers</a>.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Fulham boss Silva was asked on Friday about his United counterpart's reaction to the post and he is sympathetic to the Dutchman's stance. He said: "Ten Hag defends his player, I can understand that. When a manager defends one football player, I think it's a normal situation, I think if it's one of our players I am going to defend him until the last."The Portuguese coach was also full of praise for Fernandes, saying: "He is the captain of Man United, he is a player I know really well and he is a top player, he is a top professional. You are not a Man United captain if you don't have all the package to be in the same box to be a Man United captain and to be so important."

WHAT MARCO SILVA SAID

Fulham went on to claim the three points away at United last week, taking the lead through Calvin Bassey midway through the second half. Harry Maguire popped up with an equaliser for the Red Devils after 89 minutes but Alex Iwobi fired in a stoppage time winner for the visiting team.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Fulham sit 12th in the Premier League and will hope to build on last week's win when they host Brighton on Saturday. United face a much more daunting task a day later <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/pep-guardiola-refuses-underestimate-man-utd-derby-biggest-quality-man-city/bltf8eedbf654c51f2d" target="_blank">when they visit reigning champions Manchester City.</a>

WHAT NEXT FOR FULHAM AND UNITED?

‘I can understand’ - Fulham boss Marco Silva throws support behind Erik ten Hag amid Bruno Fernandes social media storm as he brands Man Utd star ‘a top professional’ | Goal.com English Qatar

Marco Silva says Erik ten Hag was correct to stand behind Bruno Fernandes after Fulham mocked the Manchester United star on a TikTok video.