Before Tottenham scored in their tie with Manchester United, Erik ten Hag made the decision to insert Fred and Anthony Martial.
In the 61st minute, Ten Hag came in to replace Christian Eriksen and the goal scorer Jadon Sancho, five minutes after Spurs winger Pedro Porro made it 2-1.
Prior to their departure, Sancho had put on perhaps his best performance of the season and Eriksen had dominated in midfield. In the 71st minute, Ten Hag substituted Wout Weghorst and Tyrell Malacia for Antony and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Son Heung-min's equalizer in the 79th minute came after Malacia made a mistake, and United wasted a 2-0 halftime lead to draw 2-2 for the second time this month.
Ten Hag has come under fire for his substitutions in the draws against Spurs and Sevilla as well as the loss against Newcastle on April 2. Despite this, Ten Hag defended his in-game decision-making.
"If you have seen the game you have seen also in the period after half time we lose control in the game," Ten Hag explained, "and I prepared the subs already before the 2-1 and you could see that goal coming."
"With Fred, you bring energy, one who can win the ball. On Sunday he was brilliant. And with Martial, you bring one who can keep the ball and you can have (Marcus) Rashy, Antony and Bruno (Fernandes) make runs behind and that was the idea."
"Before half-time, we had an overload in the midfield and we used it very well, especially with the switches from right to left. I think Spurs had huge problems with that. We scored the goals with passes from right to left."
"After half time, it was different because we couldn't keep the ball and we lose control."
"It was so easy for them, they kept coming and it was so easy to score a goal then. The goals we conceded were too easy and we could have avoided them."
"Before, I would be happy with a point," Ten Hag said. "And you see first half, although I don't think we played that brilliant, we had complete control."
After saying that they had made things "easy" for Tottenham on Thursday, Erik ten Hag witnessed his team squander two points.
Son Heung-min scored a late equalizer as the visitors ran out of steam, allowing Manchester United to blow a two-goal lead. Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford's goals gave Ten Hag's team the lead, while Pedro Porro's goal set off Tottenham's comeback.
United boss Ten Hag said: "Of course when you are 2-0 up you are a little bit disappointed when you draw, that's quite obvious but we have to take that. We had chances at 2-1 to get to 3-1 which we didn't and then we conceded. But after this week, 2-2 is a good draw."
"You have to manage the game, keep the ball. We gave away so many easy balls today. We had very good defensive organisation which we don't always have."
"But with their goals, it was quite obvious. We didn't block the crosses much. You have to be proactive there. We have come out to block the shot, with the second long ball we didn't squeeze out
"But, to be honest, before 2-0 they had a big chance to make it 1-1 and before that on our right side we conceded some counters and we were not good in positioning. Also, already before half time, we were not playing that well."
"After half time, there was a difference because we were not secure. Then you have to go into the fight and when you lose your battles, you don't go to crosses, you don't squeeze out, you don't close shots, you concede goals and that's what happened. Finally, you can be finally satisfied to take your point."
"We have the worst schedule in the Premier League and it will not change, so we have to take that but it cannot be an excuse. The time is enough to recover so our players are in demand to be ready and today we were not ready.
"Some thought 90% was enough, we lost focus, that's why we gave balls away, we didn't do our jobs in positioning and you concede goals. It was the case with both goals, but more you lose control of the game"
"You have to bring it every time, although I know they are not robots. It's a tough schedule, but it can't be, we can't accept, when you are playing for Man United and wearing the shirt then you have to give it on every occasion, every game. As a team, you have to get the win, then everyone is happy and satisfied."
"You have to prepare as a player, then you are ready for a battle and for a fight."
However Man United's fans are totally not in agreement with Erik Ten Hag's comments at full time as he was told to take part blame due to his substitutions which as well influenced the momentum of the game.
"When the coach begins to substitute important players what message is he sending to the ones on the field?
ETH must take responsibility for how the team squandered these games after leading by 2 goals.
That never used to happen in Sir Ferguson. Once you're 2 goals up it's game over and that's how a big team must behave. He introduces wrong players on the pitch then confusing the style of play. Worgost the worst substitute ever...he comes on with no impact."
- Sylvester K
"Yes players has to take some of the blame ETH has to do the same . his sub was strange. Why take off Anthony . it happen before and then they end up dropping points"
- Anthony Murray
"He doesn't show the players what he expects of them. When United leads by a goal or two goals him and the players always feel safe which is one bad thing United is not aggressive, look at Newcastle they always want more,they give their 100%."
- Acidri Godfrey
"Ten Hag is bottling points up.
You have only 7 Matches to go why all this unnecessary changes all the time"
- Francis Agbo
"Erik ten Hag made his first substitution against Nottingham Forest in the 71st minute and it was when he replaced Martial with Weghorst.
Last night, he made two changes in the 61st minute. Martial for Sancho and Fred for Eriksen.
In the 71st minute, he made two changes. Malacia for Wan-Bissaka and Weghorst for Antony.
He used four substitutions, with about 19 minutes plus extra time left.
No injury. Nothing. If United were behind, it's understandable. But nothing of such.
I mean just look at the tactical moves. For the first time, I disagree with these moves.
Weghorst replacing Antony when Sancho has already been replaced by another centre-forward. Ahhh, Ten Hag got this one wrong, my opinion."
- Miracle
"Erik ten Hag needs to have his haircut. His substitutions lately have been dreadful.
You can't remove players in key positions and not expect the opponents to not try and fight back.
Ten Hag took off two wide players and brought in two centre-forwards. Took off a right-back who played his role well and brought in a left-back so a right back who was at the left-back could continue at right back.
The moment he brought off Antony, I knew our attack was done. Rashford was still on the left-wing. Weghorst was just running around. Fred was just climbing people's backs and giving away sloppy passes with both legs.
I think Erik ten Hag knows that it's okay to let a starting XI play until 80 minutes or so before making any changes, when they are leading and playing well."
- Eric
"Why if you are controlling a game do you start messing about with your system? It’s absolutely poor management"
- Marcus Osborn
"Keep on backing this coach,He is fooling he thinks he is above all coaches and always thinking he had done something better for the club, he keep on doing the same mistakes against sevila now Tottenham how on earth will you change bisaka and bring malacia and change Sancho for weghorst nonsense, morihno and Ole had done better just that Ole couldn't win a trophy"
- Wazifa D Adams
"I didn't blame him for yesterday's substitution though. Bringing Fred it was right because he wanted to mount pressure on Tottenham but unfortunately he was a total disappointment. Withdrawing AWB is another decision I questioned though but it may be because he has been booked or how he prefers Dalot to him. The only substitution that didn't go well with me is bringing in Weghorst instead of Pellestri to make up for Martial who is always lazy. You shouldn't have Weghorst and Martial in a team, unless you intend playing Nine players against Eleven."
- Onwa ChinagoromChinagorom
"Insisting on doing the same thing over and over , while excepting a different result, is the definition of insanity. So according to Eric Ten Hag , Weghorst and Anthony are keeping Pellestri out of the team with their brilliant preferences ??? 🙄
A world class manager would have pick up by now that his favorites are not doing the job . And that Pellestri always comes on and makes a difference. Eric ten should stop his favoritism."
- Mario Mpofu
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