Erik ten Hag has explained why he decided against using wonderkid Alejandro Garnacho in Manchester United's Premier League victory over Burnley.
Struggling United, who have had an indifferent start to the 2023/24 campaign, got a much needed 1-0 win last night against the Clarets at Turf Moor.
Bruno Fernandes's superb volley from a long ball forward by Jonny Evans on the stroke of half-time was what ultimately proved to be the difference, after the defender had an earlier headed finish chalked off for offside following a VAR review.
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Ten Hag's side were able to hang on to their lead during a nervy finish in Lancashire as Vincent Kompany's outfit tried in vain for a share of the spoils.
The three points has lifted United up to eighth in the top flight table, ahead of the rest of the weekend's action.
One player that United fans might have expected to see at some stage of the Saturday evening encounter was Garnacho, who Ten Hag named on the bench.
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But the United boss ended up making only two of five permitted substitutions in the clash, with Raphael Varane returning from injury to replace Sergio Reguilon and Sofyan Amrabat making his debut in place of veteran defender Evans. Meanwhile, Garnacho remaining unused, sitting on the bench.
Ten Hag has explained why he opted against calling upon the 19-year-old adding that he did not want to disrupt the organisation on the pitch by introducing Garnacho to the fray.
The United boss said: "He (Garnacho) was in against (Bayern) Munich and I thought our team was playing very well so I wouldn’t change that tonight because this game was a demand to keep that organisation. That's why I wouldn't change.
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"I saw the players were still capable and the fitness levels were good and the energy was still there, it was only 1-0. I wouldn't change that because I also know that Burnley in one moment and in this moment where everything is against us - we have seen again a disallowed goal.
"I don’t want to say if it is the right decision or wrong decision, but again there was a moment that was not on our side. I wanted to avoid that and keep this team on because they did well."
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Featured Image Credit: TNT Sport/GettyTopics: Manchester United, Erik Ten Hag, Burnley, Alejandro Garnacho