A New Erik ten Hag pattern is becoming clear at Manchester United

Manchester United proved once again that their resilience has become a key part of their mentality as they fought back from 1-0 down to defeat West Ham 3-1 in the FA Cup round of 16.

It was Alejandro Garnacho who provided the pivotal moment for Manchester United as the young winger curled in a beautiful shot past Alphonse Areola from the left-hand side to secure Erik ten Hag and co.’s spot in the quarter-finals.

This was the goal to take the lead after Bruno Fernandes had his corner turned into his own net by West Ham defender Nayef Aguerd to level the score. Casemiro had a chance to level the score at an earlier point in time, however, his headed effort was ruled offside.

Fred rounded off the display with yet another goal from the bench, securing the 3-1 victory.

However, there was one moment in the tie which was a significant game-changer – that was the introduction of Casemiro at half-time.

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Erik ten Hag made six changes from the side that won the Carabao Cup at Wembley three days prior: Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Tyrell Malacia, Scott McTominay, Marcel Sabitzer, and Garnacho all started in place of Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Casemiro, Fred, and Marcus Rashford.

Once Casemiro entered the field in place of McTominay, United’s game became much more forceful, and this was only compounded when Rashford and Martinez joined him on the turf.

However, there is one more interesting point to make about Casemiro’s substitution: Erik ten Hag has now made a half-time substitution for four games in a row.

Against West Ham, it was Casemiro on for McTominay. In the Cup final, it was Aaron Wan-Bissaka replacing Diogo Dalot. In the game before that, against Barcelona, it was Antony on for Wout Weghorst; and four games ago, it was Jadon Sancho replacing Antony against Leicester City.

In every single one of these fixtures, the player substituted into play after 45 minutes had a tangible impact on the fixture: Sancho scored against Leicester, Antony scored the winner against Barcelona, Wan-Bissaka shut down Newcastle’s attack in the final, and Casemiro created two chances, had an 80% passing accuracy, and made seven recoveries.

Erik ten Hag is starting to create a clear pattern of making substitutions at half-time and has done since pretty much his first week at the club, with another notable change at half-time being when Martinez was substituted for Varane back in August as United went 4-0 down to Brentford after 45 minutes.

20 goals from United this season have been scored by players who have come off the bench, which is more than any other side in Europe.

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Ten Hag has been making the point that he needs to use his whole squad during the incredibly congested season, and although everyone has always assumed he is referring to changing his starting XIs, it could mean more.

Erik ten Hag is utilising his whole squad from the bench, too, with his ‘bench players’ having just as significant an impact and influence on games and results as his starting XI.