Erik ten Hag claims he had no choice but to substitute key personnel in Manchester United's Europa League quarter-final first leg draw with Sevilla.
After Raphael Varane's enforced withdrawal through injury at half time, Ten Hag removed Bruno Fernandes, Jadon Sancho and Anthony Martial for Christian Eriksen, Anthony Elanga and Wout Weghorst on the hour with United 2-0 up.
Elanga has not scored a club goal since February 22 2022 and Weghorst emerged having tallied two goals in 20 United games - both of them rebounds.
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Antony, another goalscoring threat who rattled the crossbar in the second half, also made way for Facundo Pellistri in the 81st minute.
Own goals from David de Gea and Harry Maguire in the 84th and 92nd minutes gifted Sevilla a draw when United had threatened to effectively end the quarter-final as a contest after one leg.
The timing of a triple substitutions, as well as the choice of the substitutes, with United only 2-0 ahead, baffled many but Ten Hag claims referee Felix Zwayer had warned him Fernandes and Antony, both booked, were in danger of expulsions.
"I had to make them," Ten Hag protested. "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 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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