Why Manchester United took Kobbie Mainoo off during Burnley draw after fans booed Erik ten Hag decision

Erik ten Hag says he was looking to protect Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Hojlund when he made the controversial decision to substitute them both in Manchester United's draw with Burnley yesterday.

There were loud boos around Old Trafford at the decision to remove Mainoo in particular, with Ten Hag facing criticism form supporters for removing the teenage midfielder in favour of Scott McTominay.

It must be said that both Hojlund and Mainoo had struggled to make a positive impact on the game and United's breakthrough eventually came after they had been removed from proceedings.

Ten Hag wanted the freshness of Scott McTominay from the bench, while he was also wary of the long-term injuries both Mainoo and Hojlund have previously suffered this season.

Speaking after the 1-1 draw, the United manager explained his substitutions and the injury risk attached to giving the two youngsters a prolonged run in the side. "They are fans but I have to manage the team and of course winning games first of all," he told reporters at full-time.

"You see what the game needs and I think we needed by that time some freshness and also tactical wise, bring a player on who can keep the ball and is creative and in midfield you could see it was a very high intense game, it went up and down. You also see some fatigue and Rasmus, which is a very young player, and Kobbie, which is a very young player, was subbed and it was the right decision and you can see the benefit from it bringing the fresh legs of Scott, in a position when it is open he is very good and can make his penetrations from there. It also happened from there that we put ourselves in a winning position.

"The last thing, we have three games, where Burnley have days off. A high intense game and totally logical to bring players off who are very young, who are in the first years of the Premier League and don’t even talk about the injury risk. Rasmus Hojlund had more injuries already in the course of this season, Kobbie Mainoo also had two bad injuries so I don't want them to get injured. So I protected them as well, so more reasons to make the subs. But I understand that fans wants to see the skills those players are bringing and contribute to the team. I understand that, but I have to do my job and that is the right decision."