Fernandes hails Ten Hag effect after Man Utd reach League Cup final

Manchester United’s Dutch manager Erik ten Hag gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Aston Villa and Manchester Utd at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on November 6, 2022. (Photo by Geoff Caddick / AFP)

Bruno Fernandes has hailed Erik ten Hag’s role in transforming the fortunes of Manchester United after the club secured a place in the League Cup final.

The Dutch manager, in his first season at Old Trafford, will lead his team out at Wembley on February 26 against Newcastle after Wednesday’s 2-0 win against Nottingham Forest wrapped up a 5-0 aggregate semi-final triumph.

It is a chance for United to end their worst trophy drought in 40 years — they have failed to lift any silverware since winning the Europa League in 2017.

“Obviously it’s amazing for us,” said Fernandes, who captained the side in the 2021 Europa League final shootout loss to Villarreal.

“It’s a long time since the Europa League. Since I’m here we don’t play (another) final. You come to this club to be in the position to win trophies and we are in a massive position now.”

Ten Hag has overseen a dramatic change in fortunes and culture at Old Trafford since arriving from Ajax, with a first trophy now tantalisingly close.

Last year they finished sixth in the Premier League and made little progress in the domestic cups or the Champions League under first Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and then interim boss Ralf Rangnick.

But this season they are fourth in the Premier League and still challenging in three cup competitions.

“I think last year was about the confidence,” said Portugal midfielder Fernandes, who joined United in January 2020.

“You win one game, you lost another one, you draw another one — you never get that run of