With the Red Devils chasing the game, Erik ten Hag replaced Rasmus Hojlund and brought in fresh legs. This decision has received mixed responses among the fan base.
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Manchester United endured a forgettable time on Sunday in the local derby against Manchester City. The Red Devils were comprehensively beaten by the visitors 3-0 in what will be a major blow to United’s desire to find some run of form this season. It has been a frustrating campaign for the men in red, as they struggled to replicate their previous high standards and have struggled massively for consistency.
In such a situation, a 3-0 defeat to Manchester City would not have helped Manchester United’s cause much. United did start the Premier League game well but in no time lost control of the proceedings before losing to a brace from Erling Haaland and a late Phile Foden strike. With the Red Devils chasing the game, Erik ten Hag replaced Rasmus Hojlund and brought in fresh legs. This was a decision that has received mixed responses.
After the game, ten Hag spoke to the official broadcasters, including MUTV and Sky Sports. He was asked about the reason for taking off Hojlund. “Rasmus is playing every game and is not used to it. We had to work very hard to get the press on and you have to protect those players. As well, for the team, protect them to bring new energy in. You see the effort Hojlund put in was massive. You have to take one off and Rasmus is coming in and is not used to three games a week,” the manager, quoted by the club’s website, replied.
Ten Hag liked what he saw with the team’s display in the first half but the same cannot be said about the second period. In particular, he did not like the way in which the team conceded the second goal. “Especially the first half, the game-plan went perfectly. Only the penalty changed the game. The first half, we played very well. We defended very good, closing the spaces, getting into the press, keeping them away from our own goal. Only one big save by Andre [Onana], they almost didn’t create [too much]. We had opportunities, two or three great breaks, but didn’t benefit from it,” the manager said.
He added: “The game-plan in the first half was very disciplined and then you see how successful it can be. We made an error for the second goal, we made a mistake. A wrong decision by going up to the keeper at the wrong moment. We did not recover quick and they can switch the play, our players are in the wrong positions and they make a great goal. We went out of shape and got killed by that but the first half was so perfect as we defended so well.”
At half-time, Erik ten Hag took off defensive-minded Sofyan Amrabat for attacking player Mason Mount in search of an equaliser. It did not heap the rewards, as the side was comprehensively outplayed in the second half. “You can’t say that [you regret making a change]. We had to create. We are losing the game. You have to act as a manager, especially when you have the bench, you have to use the bench and bring more offensive power on the pitch. When you have Mason Mount on the bench, you can expect some creativity,” he elaborated.
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