Man Utd boss Erik Ten Hag explains half-time substitution as he reacts to Nottingham Forest win

Erik Ten Hag revealed Raphael Varane was complaining of an injury before being replaced in Manchester United’s 3-2 win against Crystal Palace. 

The defender was taken off at half-time and replaced by Victor Lindelof with the score at 2-1 - United having been 2-0 down inside just four minutes at Old Trafford. 

Aided by a red card for Forest’s Joe Worrall, United found a way back into the game before picking up a second unconvincing three points of the season on home soil - Bruno Fernandes’ penalty ultimately the difference. 

Asked about Varane post match, Ten Hag said: “He had complaints and so we didn’t want to risk him. We have Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof who can replace him so we didn’t take the risk but he had complaints and if it is really bad I don’t know, we have to wait.” 

The United boss is already without Luke Shaw and Mason Mount who both missed the game through injury. Diogo Dalot and Christian Eriksen came to replace them with Anthony Martial also making his 300th United appearance from the start in attack. 

Ten Hag was pleased was his side’s resolve after the start that stunned Old Trafford. 

He said: “It is a horror start, giving them two goals and making mistakes but I am very pleased with the comeback, the leadership, how we stayed calm and composed and stuck to the plans. I think we played very good football and out of our plan we scored very good goals.”