SILVA HITS BACK AT ETH’S TIKING OFF

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MARCO SILVA has refused to apologise to Manchester United after Fulham posted a Tiktok video mocking Bruno Fernandes.

But the Cottagers boss (below) said: “If you ask me if I would like to see that with one of our players, 100 percent no.”

Erik ten Hag has demanded that the club say sorry for the clip – taken from last Saturday’s game – which showed his skipper rolling on the floor after a tackle before jumping to his feet to request the ball.

The caption read: “So glad he’s OK”. Silva called Fernandes (above) “a top football player and a top professional”.

Silva was repeatedly asked to respond to Ten Hag’s request to apologise in his press conference yesterday.

But sorry seemed to be the hardest work for the Fulham head coach.

He also declined to answer if he thought his own club was being disrespectful.

The Portuguese boss said: “I understand what Ten Hag said about the player, that he defended Bruno Fernandes as a football player and as a captain. He is a top football player and a top professional. I know him very well.

“I’m going to do the same. If you ask me if I would like to see that with one player from ourselves, 100 percent no.

“I’m going to defend my player like he did.

“It was a reaction from Ten Hag.

When a manager defends a football player it is a normal situation.

Sasa Lukic (left) made the challenge on Fernandes during a superb performance at Old Trafford. The Serb was deputising for the suspended Joao Palhinha and starred in the 2-1 victory.

And he is set to start against Brighton today with the former Sporting midfielder still banned.

“I am really pleased for Sasa,” said Silva. “That was one of his best matches for us.”