Erik ten Hag has called on Manchester United fans and TV pundits who played for the club to be patient after his substitutions were loudly booed during a disappointing 1-1 draw at home to Burnley.
The United boss was forced to defend himself as Old Trafford showed open dissent when popular teenager Kobbie Mainoo was replaced midway through the second half with Rasmus Hojlund with the game still goalless.
Antony did fire United ahead after 80 minutes but relegation-threatened Burnley levelled with a late penalty from Zeki Admouni.
'I am the manager and have to decide what the team needs,' said Ten Hag. 'It was the right decision and totally logical to bring off very young players who are in their first year of the Premier League and feel some fatigue.
'They have both had injuries this season and I want to protect them.
'Fans need patience. I understand they want to see the skills of these players but the league gets more intense year by year and the youngsters need to adjust. That takes time.
Ten Hag also took a dig at former United TV pundits like Rio Ferdinand, Roy Keane and Paul Scholes who have criticised the current team for falling short of standards set by Sir Alex Ferguson.
The manager said: 'People forget that the Man Utd team of 2004-05, they also didn't play that great football (while Fergie was building a new team around Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo).
'They were building and it took time but everyone forgets, even the players who were in the team.'
Midfielder Mainoo has become a firm favourite with United supporters in his breakthrough year.
The 19-year-old academy graduate didn't make his first Premier League start until November but has quickly established himself in the first-team and made his England debut against Brazil last month, raising expectations he'll be in Gareth Southgate's squad for Euro 2024.
Criticism of ten Hag's changes underlines the difficulties the Dutchman faces in staying in the job next season.
United are currently sixth in the Premier League table well short of Champions League qualification and are heavy underdogs against Manchester City in next month's FA Cup final.
Hojlund, 21, has also struggled to make an impact since a £72million move from Atalanta, scoring only eight goals in 26 appearances.
Bouaeiosuy
0
ETH know nothing about coaching
jedclryz
0
They were building and it took time but everyone forgets, even the players who were in the team. ETH This is a foolish statement. where were you in 1992. If this is how you build then you are rather destroying than building. you are actually not building anything.
cohbdkopz
1
MUCoach need to have two players on each position in case of injuries that alternate games but need to add better defending players and need to integrate Sancho again in the team next season Coach must lift their spirits install the idea that they can win any game if they perform together, this current team have a lot of talent to win PL With current talented players MU can dominate games
cohbdkopz
2
changing coaches will not solve problems of MU team MU need stability and players that have desire to win each game too many new players each year and changing coaches every two years hurt any team
mrHenphila
0
The only solution is to fire the coach and remove armband from Bruno see how crystal palace is playing good football ten has got no system Burnley played well as if there are at
a typical Ronaldo fan, they hate Ten hag and Bruno
Daphoenix23
5
Too too many external distractions towards this club and it’s players and coaching staffs, the media is there, ex footballers, pundits, YouTubers and bloggers all on MAN U’s case. That’s causing unnecessary tension with the board, team and coaching staffs and when you look at most of these so called ex footballers it’s not like they had such fantastic careers during their time. Likes of Carragher was mister own goal, Scholes was a good midfielder but not KDB level as it stands now and also failed as a manager, Lamps, Gerrard have both failed as managers (decent careers though), Ferdinand was cool in his day until his mid 30s, Roy Keane was a mechanical player, also failed as a manager and should be the last person criticizing more gifted technical players and coaches today, Micah Richards was average until the end, Gary Neville was also average but played in a dominating Man U team so it didn’t show, and a host of them haters masquerading as pundits now, only person I can give credit fully is Alan Shearer, the rest are just haters and taking out their hate on young players today. Yes players today can be a little excessive in their doings both on and off the pitch and earn crazy sums compared to what some of them deliver on the pitch, but the constant criticism is not helping, you criticize their game play, tattoos, hairstyles, lifestyle even down to their goal/winning celebrations… it’s too much for crying out loud, these players should be given a break they are humans too and it’s not like these ex players didn’t have their down time also. It’s affecting team bonding and performance especially when you always single out a particular player, it creates a Me VS them mindset in that player and other team mates seeing that particular player as a stumbling block to their success even as far as influencing a coaches decision with such player. I wish there is a way the EPL can have some cut on the way pundits and blogs go about tearing into players or teams to protect them more… Not making excuse for some dismal displays but Let’s not forget this MAN U team have dealt with more injuries than any team in the EPL this season since the beginning…
cohbdkopz
3
If MU coach have a strong defense MU will win PL next season the problem he has a lot of injuries in the team this season MU definitely have good players but terrible defense MU can win against MC in FA cup if Defense get stronger,MU defense allowed many goals this season in last 30 minutes of the Game that cost them games if you look at their record this season
UpenyuMolestMagwaz
0
The only solution is to fire the coach and remove armband from Bruno see how crystal palace is playing good football ten has got no system Burnley played well as if there are at
whats wrong with the coach and bruno.? do you stil think Man Utd can archieve anything with that club hahahh noo forget ..Man utd must cash in for world class players the likes of Mbappe,Rafeo leao,Lautaro Martinez,etc
AlviNashys
0
Too much criticism as if they no the job
Radbmrtuy
0
which man united of 2004-05 is this man referring to that they didn't play a good football? 🤔
he's right even exited champions League 1st round in 2006 season in a simple group of lens n Villarreal...
Cimaeknsty
0
he tried
Poukmnopy
0
home ground and mainoo is not holding midfielder
Poukmnopy
2
The only solution is to fire the coach and remove armband from Bruno see how crystal palace is playing good football ten has got no system Burnley played well as if there are at
Lisbcmopsu
4
Two seasons three final with a lot of injuries please give him time
Nodcknty
0
this like you Don't always watch man u when we are playing
So do u like it this way?😂😂
sawalorsuz
1
Eric Ten Draws knows Man United history more than its former players turned pundits
Fokbeklps
0
Sack him and send him back home to Ajax
vedcmnopst
0
ten hag is worst coach
see your mouth, you Don't know anything about football
vedcmnopst
0
ten hag is worst coach
this like you Don't always watch man u when we are playing
vedcmnopst
0
E TH must go this year because we're fed up with him poor selection always wrong substituted
*
miidey04
0
E TH must go this year because we're fed up with him poor selection always wrong substituted
You and who?, and please recommend a better coach right now…so blinded with emotions,
Kaychooku
2
Too many external distractions hasn't helped the coach. The coach has his fair share of blame though but this crop of players and the high rate of injuries this season have not helped either. These past legends-cum-pundits are useless, they're only there for their salaries and know nothing about coaching and tactics. I listen to Roy, Gary, and Scholes (who have had records of failed attempts in coaching) criticize ETH and I laugh in disgust. WTF
They know nothing about tactics and coaching, they think being a great player means a good coach, funny thing is none of them had a successful coaching career but they enjoy criticizing coaches. Even the great Pele had the worst predictions in football
Muycdekost
3
E TH must go this year because we're fed up with him poor selection always wrong substituted
adedefender
3
Too many external distractions hasn't helped the coach. The coach has his fair share of blame though but this crop of players and the high rate of injuries this season have not helped either. These past legends-cum-pundits are useless, they're only there for their salaries and know nothing about coaching and tactics. I listen to Roy, Gary, and Scholes (who have had records of failed attempts in coaching) criticize ETH and I laugh in disgust. WTF
widbcost
2
A coach who has no playing style is a punk
Hoyacdeot
3
ten hag is worst coach
NevetsyragKuriek
2
Ten Hag need to go.....he always buy players with full of injury syndrome...👹👹👹
Kril5150
2
So because 2004 Manchester united didn't do well, u kind like taking advantage?
Niudempu
2
which man united of 2004-05 is this man referring to that they didn't play a good football? 🤔
truthisbitter
3
Personally I want manutd to win fa cup if city wins Epl as a compensation for their efforts, understanding and support to their neighbor!!!