Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has, late on Saturday, responded to the furious reaction of the club’s fans to his decision to haul Rasmus Hojlund off early against Brighton & Hove Albion.
United, and Hojlund, were of course back in action a short time ago.
Fresh off an underwhelming start to the campaign, the Red Devils welcomed the aforementioned Brighton to Old Trafford, eyeing a return to winning ways.
When all was said and done, however, Ten Hag and co. were instead condemned to a third Premier League defeat from five.
This came as goals on the part of all of Danny Welbeck, Pascal Gross, and Joao Pedro guided Brighton to the right side of a 3-1 result.
Manchester United 0-3 Brighton! 😳
João Pedro might’ve scored the best goal of the night at Old Trafford! 🚀
Stream #PLGoalRush LIVE, or on-demand after, here 📲 https://t.co/5S2JPp2M0e#OptusSport #PL pic.twitter.com/0hy2t9439S
— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) September 16, 2023
On an altogether miserable day for all associated with Man United, meanwhile, boss Erik ten Hag, at one point, was on the receiving end of some of the understandable frustration on the part of his side’s fans.
The move was met with widespread boos and jeers across Old Trafford, with hitman Hojlund having at least looked a threat in a largely toothless Reds frontline.
Speaking to the media post-match, it therefore came as little surprise when the subject of his decision to remove the Dane was put to Ten Hag himself.
And, after revealing his opinion that such grievances will actually prove a ‘positive’ for Hojlund, United’s boss went on to add that, post-injury, he was ‘just not ready for a whole game’.
🔴🇳🇴 Man United fans booed Ten Hag choice to remove Rasmus Højlund…
Ten Hag: “It was positive. Reception was great —he performed very well & it was good they gave this signal, will give him belief. He was just not ready for a whole game”. pic.twitter.com/OY4PdV46X2
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 16, 2023
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