da supremo： Erik ten Hag says he has spoken to his Manchester United squad about improving their body language and singled out captain Bruno Fernandes for praise.

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United players criticised for body languageRashford comes in for condemnationTen Hag praises Bruno in this regardGetty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?

United's players have been criticised for their demeanour during matches at times – with former forward Wayne Rooney going in on Marcus Rashford for his body language during the FA Cup win over Nottingham Forest in midweek. Ahead of Sunday's clash with rivals Manchester City, manager Ten Hag has spoken about this matter and stated Fernandes is a good example for the team in this regard.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT ERIK TEN HAG SAID

He told reporters: "Of course body language is important. We talk about this issue with the individual players and team, about the impact on the crowd, but also opponents because football is such a psychological game. You have to take everything you can and use it to your advantage. When your body language and expression can be positive, then you use it for the good of your own team.

"What you see is the character of a player expressed in their body language and that is not a thing that you can change in a short time. I think Bruno [Fernandes] is a good example of this. I have seen he wants to win and so he shows his emotion and that is an absolute strength from him to push his own team. He shows how much he wants to win so that others around him pick it up and go and fight with it."

Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Rashford is struggling to recapture the form he showed in his 30-goal season in 2022/23, with the 26-year-old bagging just five goals and six assists this term. However, he is not the only one struggling, as Ten Hag's United sit sixth in the Premier League – in contrast to last season when they finished third. And things could get worse as they travel to Pep Guardiola's side on Sunday.

WHAT NEXT?

Following the clash at the Etihad, United host relegation-threatened Everton on Saturday, followed by a FA Cup quarter-final tie against league leaders and recent Carabao Cup winners Liverpool at Old Trafford on March 17.