April 29th 2024.
In the second half of the game against Burnley, Rasmus Hojlund appeared to be withdrawn from the pitch. His expression was one of confusion as he watched Kobbie Mainoo being substituted for Erik Ten Hag, the manager of Manchester United. This decision was made while the game was still tied at 0-0, in the 65th minute. In place of Mainoo and Hojlund, Amad Diallo and Scott McTominay were brought on to take their positions on the field. The substitution was met with disappointment from the fans at Old Trafford, and video footage captured Hojlund looking just as surprised as he made his way to the bench.
It seemed that Hojlund had struggled to make an impact on the game while he was on the pitch, and Ten Hag's decision to make the change appeared to pay off when Antony scored a goal for United in the 79th minute. However, Burnley managed to equalize with a late penalty from Zeki Amdouni, resulting in United only earning one point from the match. This left them in sixth place, just one point above Newcastle. Ten Hag responded to criticism of his substitutions by explaining that he was trying to protect Mainoo and Hojlund, who had both been through a tough few weeks.
Ten Hag stated, "No offence, but my job as the manager is to make decisions for the benefit of the team. Winning games is our top priority, and sometimes that means making changes based on what the game requires. In this case, we needed some fresh legs on the field." He also mentioned the high intensity of the midfield and how it had taken a toll on the young players, Mainoo and Hojlund. "They were subbed off, and it was the right decision. We were able to benefit from it by bringing in Scott, who provided some much-needed energy in that position."
The manager also took into consideration the risk of injury for his players, especially for Hojlund who had already faced several injuries that season. He emphasized the importance of protecting his players and ensuring their well-being. "I understand that the fans want to see these players in action because of their skills and contributions to the team. But as the manager, I have to make decisions that are in the best interest of the team as a whole."
Ten Hag's explanation shed light on the reasons behind his substitutions and defended his choices. He acknowledged the fans' desire to see certain players on the field but reiterated that his job was to make decisions for the team's success. In the end, it was a disappointing result for Manchester United, but Ten Hag's decisions were made with the team's best interests in mind.
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