'I had no other choice' - Erik ten Hag reveals key reason behind his Man United substitutions against Sevilla

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has opened up on the important rationale behind his series of substitutions against Sevilla in the Europa League on Thursday.

A Marcel Sabitzer brace put United into a 2-0 lead at Old Trafford in their quarter-final tie before the Red Devils squandered their advantage late in the second half.

Ten Hag was forced to withdraw Raphael Varane at half-time due to injury and replaced him with Harry Maguire, who would later be at fault for Sevilla’s second.

The United boss also made a triple substitution in the second half after he took off Bruno Fernandes, Anthony Martial and Jadon Sancho when his side were leading.

And United winger Antony was pulled from the contest in the 81st minute, with Facundo Pellistri taking his place before the Red Devils’ second-half collapse.

Speaking after United’s 2-2 draw against Sevilla, Ten Hag revealed that referee Felix Zwayer warned him about Fernandes and Antony after the pair were both booked.

The former Ajax manager claimed he had “no other choice” but to make the substitutions to avoid Fernandes or Antony from picking up a second booking.

“I had to make them,” Ten Hag said.

“There was no other way. Rapha was injured, that was the first I had to make. And then Anthony Martial, first start after a long period, so we had to make him on the 60.

“Then Bruno: I got the warning from the refs, he was short before a second booking and the same for Antony dos Santos. So I had to make the subs, I had no other choice.

“But still we controlled the game. Still we had to score the third goal. It was a good action from Pelle and Ty [Tyrell Malacia] has a big chance for 3-0 in 81st minute.

“And then the last 10 minute of the game everything was against us. We have to be smarter, we switch off for the first goal, then we get the injury of Licha [Martinez], another bad luck.

“Both goals against, both deflected, what can you do? Sometimes you have bad days and bad luck. Tonight was not our night.”

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Topics: Erik Ten Hag, Manchester United, Sevilla, Europa League, Football

Adnan Riaz

Adnan Riaz is a journalist for SPORTbible. He studied for a B.A. in History at the University of York and followed it up with an M.A. in Multimedia Journalism at MMU. Before he started writing about sports, he spent over four years in the gaming press. He has worked for several publications, including Hardcore Gamer, LADbible and the Manchester Evening News. Follow him on Twitter to find out what he is working on next. Got a story tip for Adnan? Email him: [email protected]

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