03 April 2023 , 01:00
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Erik ten Hag has defended his decision to take off both Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez during Manchester United's defeat to Newcastle.
The Red Devils had gone a goal down to the Magpies when Ten Hag opted to bring off both centre-backs with seven minutes remaining. In their place Facundo Pellistri and Victor Lindelof were brought on, but Newcastle doubled their lead five minutes later.
That goal came when Callum Wilson headed in Kieran Trippier's free-kick, with Ten Hag coming under fire from Gary Neville for taking off both centre-backs ahead of the goal. But the Dutchman defended the move, insisting he had to make his side more attacking.
Erik ten Hag has defended his decision to sub off both centre-backs against Newcastle (Sky Sports)“You risk everything. We bring in [Anthony] Martial and [Jadon] Sancho to get more control in possession, to keep the ball, get forward," the United boss said.
"So after we are losing the game and you try to save the game to bring a goal and go one against one in the back, bring a centre back in who can defend with space in his back [Victor Lindelof] and bring an extra player in offence with Pellistri.
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“We were not happy. We played too high in the midfield and it was easy for the two centre-halves from Newcastle to defend our midfield players, so they had to play a bit deeper.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Did Erik ten Hag make a mistake with his substitutions? Comment below.
Callum Wilson doubled Newcastle's lead soon after Ten Hag took off his centre-backs (OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)"Therefore we made the subs, to put Marcel [Sabitzer] as no.10 and Scott [McTominay] in a deeper role. Then we made changes to bring more energy. Then in the end we were losing so we decided to go with three at the back and play an extra offensive player.
“I was surprised we couldn’t match the determination, passion and desire of the opponent. If you want to win big games, you have to be mature and I didn’t see that today on the pitch."
Neville blasted Ten Hag for the decision to take off both of his centre-backs at the same time. He insisted that Newcastle scoring a second goal was a predictable outcome as soon as the changes were made.
"Once those changes were made this was the most predictable outcome you could believe. Manchester United have no height in there, the one player that is maybe used to defending set pieces - Lindelof - tries to get there, but he doesn’t do," Neville said in commentary.
"Shaw gets under it, Lindelof’s not quite there, and Callum Wilson sends this Geordie crowd wild. We mentioned about how this crowd was 15-20 years ago, he almost smiled before the ball went in the back of the net. He could smell it coming, he could see it coming.
"His team have been better all over the pitch. You’re better off having two at the back with two centre backs than you are with three at the back with two full-backs and one centre back, you end up really exposed, particularly on a set piece."