I didn’t have a Choice — Erik ten Hag on 2-2 draw against Sevilla

Erik ten Hag, the Manchester United manager, has explained the reasoning behind his substitutions during the team’s 2-2 draw against Sevilla in the Europa League on Thursday. After Marcel Sabitzer scored twice to put United in a commanding position, the Red Devils allowed Sevilla to equalize late in the second half. Ten Hag was forced to substitute Raphael Varane at halftime due to injury, replacing him with Harry Maguire, who was later at fault for Sevilla’s second goal.

In the second half, the United manager made a triple substitution, taking off Bruno Fernandes, Anthony Martial, and Jadon Sancho while his team was leading. Antony was then taken off in the 81st minute, with Facundo Pellistri replacing him, before United’s second-half collapse.

After the match, Ten Hag revealed that referee Felix Zwayer had warned him about Fernandes and Antony after both players were booked. He claimed he had “no other choice” but to make the substitutions to avoid either player from picking up a second booking.

“There was no other way,” Ten Hag said. “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.”

Despite controlling the game, United were unable to score the third goal and eventually allowed Sevilla to equalize. Ten Hag acknowledged that his team had to be “smarter” and that they were unlucky with both goals against them being deflected. He also lamented the injury suffered by Licha Martinez, which added to the team’s bad luck.