Erik ten Hag explains his thought process behind the subs that helped Man United beat Barcelona

Erik ten Hag’s substitutions were yet again vital as Manchester United came from behind to beat Barcelona 2-1 and progress into the Europa League round-of-16.

After a tight 2-2 affair at the Camp Nou, United pipped the Spanish side at Old Trafford on Thursday evening.

Robert Lewandowski scored the opening goal of the night from the penalty spot in what was a flat first half from the hosts, but it didn’t take long into the second period to see the improvement from the team.

Fred scored two minutes after the restart and then Antony – who was brought on at the interval – found the winning goal in the 73rd minute.

Ten Hag’s decision to bring the Brazilian, who has been injured for three weeks, into the game was one that held risk should it not have worked. But it did.

Read More: Player ratings as Manchester United win 2-1 vs Barcelona in Europa League clash

Alejandro Garnacho also influenced the game greatly. The two wingers were key for the team and the manager knows what they can offer when coming from the bench.

“We know that we can bring Antony and Garnacho on,” he told BT Sport. “And you get speed, running behind, dribbles and belief.”

The United manager has made 16 substitutes at half-time so far this season, showing his ability to adapt throughout games and realise when a gameplan is not working and needs adjustments.

“It’s starting with the idea that football is 11 vs 11 – attacking with 11 and defending with 11 – but it’s more than that, it’s about the squad,” he added when speaking about his thought process when making these changes.

“In a squad, you need different profiles and types, when your time is there then you have to be ready and you come on and contribute to the team.

“You can’t win trophies with 11 in a team, especially not in football nowadays, you need that squad for rotation but also tactically to bring different dynamics into the game.”