Porto head coach Vitor Bruno has expressed his support for Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag, who is facing mounting pressure following United’s challenging start to the season.
Ten Hag has come under increased scrutiny after a series of poor results, including heavy defeats at home to Liverpool and Tottenham, leaving United 13th in the Premier League table.
This difficult beginning to the 2024/25 campaign follows an eighth-place finish last season, the club’s lowest top-flight finish since 1989/90.
Despite the struggles, Ten Hag was backed by Ineos and even given a contract extension, though reports suggest the United hierarchy had been considering other managerial options at the time.
Ahead of Thursday’s crucial clash between Porto and Manchester United, Vitor Bruno extended a gracious gesture toward the under-fire manager.
The 41-year-old even offered to share a glass of wine with Ten Hag after the match, showing solidarity with his fellow coach during a testing period.
“I don’t know him. I haven’t met him yet, but I’d love to, really,” he said.
“There’s a coach in Portugal called [Carlos] Carvalhal, he coaches Braga and he worked in the Premier League and the Championship, and he also said, at the end of the match, they go together and drink a glass of wine.
“If Ten Hag wants, the dressing room is open for him. A lot of respect.
“It’s our life [being under pressure] and mine also.
“When you lose one match, you’re almost done.”
When asked about United captain Bruno Fernandes after he was sent-off against Spurs on Sunday, he added: “An international player is always a quality player.
“Besides that, he also played at Sporting so he will, for sure, want to make a great performance tomorrow.
“The way he was sent off in the last game, it was not reasonable.
“He’s a very good player, very, very good and we must be very aware, control him and not let him play the way he likes to play.
“We’re always, always ready to stop his style of playing.
“The way he passes the ball, the way he can cross, dribble and shoot, we cannot give him space.”
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