Erik ten Hag explains why he substituted Rasmus Højlund vs Manchester City

Erik ten Hag has explained why he substituted Manchester United’s Rasmus Højlund during their Premier League defeat to Manchester City at Old Trafford.

Manchester United suffered their seemingly annual Manchester derby defeat as Manchester City ran out as 3-0 victors at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.

It was yet another defeat for Erik ten Hag this season, with his side sat 8th in the league table and already eight points off the Champions League spots after 10 games played.

Read More: “That’s why…” – Pep Guardiola tells Erik ten Hag what’s wrong at Manchester United

They have five wins and five losses so far in the competition, with a lack of goals a key reason behind their bad form – which is why the Old Trafford crowd was angry and confused when the Dutchman substituted their first-choice striker Rasmus Højlund in the 73rd minute for Alejandro Garnacho with the team trailing 2-0.

“I have to protect Rasmus Højlund and I have to protect the team,” Ten Hag said after the fixture when asked why he decided to pull the Danish striker off the field of play.

“He is putting so much effort in pressing, going in the transitions, going long ways and being in the fight with the tough opposition.

“And we are losing the game 2-0, he is not used to it – three games in a week. So I have to protect him and I also have to protect the team and bring some energy in. We have bench players – Mason Mount and Garnacho – we know he can change games. That is the argument why we subbed him.”

When Højlund’s No.11 appeared on the substitution scoreboard, boos rang around Old Trafford. Gary Neville commented during the tie that the striker was outperforming many of the senior players in the United side and was one of the only players who was looking to make things happen in the game.