Ten Hag Defends Substitutions and Tactics After Burnley Draw
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag finds himself under pressure following a 1-1 draw against Burnley.
Ten Hag’s decision to substitute young players Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Hojlund in the 65th minute with the score tied 0-0 was met with boos from the Old Trafford crowd.
Shortly after these substitutions, United took the lead through Antony, but Burnley equalized from a penalty in the 87th minute.
Ten Hag Justifies His Decisions
The manager defended his substitutions, highlighting the need to protect the young players who are still adapting to the Premier League’s intensity.
He emphasized the importance of managing fatigue and preventing injuries, given that both Mainoo and Hojlund have had injury concerns this season.
“They have both had injuries this season and I want to protect them,” Ten Hag speaking to Sky Sports in his post-match press conference.
Ten Hag Calls for Patience from Fans
The Manchester United manager urged fans to be patient with his developing team, acknowledging their desire to see the youngsters showcase their skills.
He pointed out the increasing competitiveness of the Premier League and the time required for young players to adjust.
“Fans need patience. The league gets more intense year by year and the youngsters need to adjust. That takes time,” he remarked.
Ten Hag Takes Aim at Critics, Including Former United Stars
The Manchester United manager appeared to extend his message beyond the fans, seemingly directing comments towards former United players like Roy Keane and Gary Neville who have been critical of the team’s recent performances.
He referenced Manchester United’s 2004-05 team, which was still under construction and did not play particularly attractive football, yet ultimately found success.
“People forget that the Man United team of 2004-05, they also didn’t play that great football,” The Manchester United manager said. “They were building and it took time but everyone forgets, even the players who were in the team.”
United’s Struggles Continue
Manchester United’s season has been marred by inconsistency.
An early Champions League exit was compounded by a high number of Premier League losses.
While they reached the FA Cup final, they nearly suffered an embarrassing defeat after conceding a three-goal lead to Championship side Coventry in the semi-final.
Ten Hag Highlights Entertaining Style Despite Draw
Despite the criticism, The Manchester United manager highlighted the team’s entertaining style of play in his post-match interview.
“We are one of the most dynamic and entertaining teams in the league at this moment,” he said. “We are creating loads of chances by playing good football.”
The Manchester United manager face a challenging upcoming schedule, with upcoming matches against league leaders Arsenal and a resurgent Crystal Palace.
