Erik ten Hag has advised Manchester United supporters to be patient after they booed during their 1-1 draw with Burnley at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag’s decision to replace Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Hojlund with Scott McTominay and Amad halfway through the second half, with the game still goalless, drew strong criticism from Old Trafford fans. Hojlund’s decision to sit out games against Brighton and Manchester City earlier this season drew boos.
When Antony scored 11 minutes from time, it seemed like United would escape unscathed, but a blunder by Andre Onana resulted in a late penalty, converted by Zeki Amdouni, and the final whistle was greeted with boos from the home crowd.
Ten Hag justified his double move, stating that the young players in his team needed to be protected from the tiredness that had built up, while also requesting patience while he constructed his group at United.
“They are fans, but I have to manage the team, first and foremost, and you see what the game requires; by that time, we need some freshness, but also some technical ability, to bring in a guy who can keep the ball and is creative,” Ten Hag said.
“In midfield, it was a really high-intensity game that went up and down, and there was some weariness in Rasmus and Kobbie, who are very young guys; it was the correct option. You see some value in getting Scott’s fresh legs into a position where it’s so open; he’s so effective in those circumstances and can make some penetrations from there.
“We have three games this week. Burnley had days off, so in a high-intensity game, it’s quite reasonable to pull off guys who are still in their first year in the Premier League. Rasmus Hojlund has had more injuries this season, and Kobbie has had two serious injuries, so I don’t want them to be hurt, and I protect them as well.
“I realize that people want to see what qualities these players bring and how they contribute to the club. I understand, but I need to perform my job, and that is the correct option.”
Ten Hag cited his team’s youth and inexperience, notably in Hojlund, Mainoo, and Alejandro Garnacho, and urged the owners and fans to be patient while he continued to improve the squad.
“We have some extremely young players, and that’s why we’re rebuilding this team. “That takes time,” he said. “We bring in young players like Garnacho, Hojlund, and Mainoo; they’re all in their first season in the Premier League, and it’s becoming more competitive year after year. It is more intense than previous season.
“Those guys need to acclimate, which takes time. I am eager, but we need patience, and so do the fans; we are constructing a team here, and we need experience.
“When you get fatigued, you must maintain your attention until the end. This season, the extra time added seven, eight, nine, or ten minutes to a game to keep the momentum going. That is a boundary they must transcend, and they can only learn it via experience.”
Ten Hag also responded to critics who compare his United club to some of the best teams of prior periods, including teams in the early to mid-2000s who were rebuilding under Sir Alex Ferguson.
“It is completely off the mark. The great Manchester United teams were also constructed, 2004, 2005, they didn’t play fantastic football, but they were building, and it takes time,” he said.
“What everyone forgets is that the guys on the squad were struggling and needed time to improve.”
