Erik ten Hag said Tyrell Malacia and Jadon Sancho were substituted for their lack of movement on the ball rather than their roles in Omonia Nicosia's opening goal.
Omonia took a surprising lead when Sancho's careless pass was met with an errant touch by Malacia, who was dispossessed midway through the Omonia half to spark a breakway that Karim Ansarifard finished in the 34th minute.
Malacia was withdrawn at half-time in the second game running, along with Sancho, for Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford. Rashford scored United's equaliser and eventual winner in a dicey 3-2 victory.
